Anwar pans 'false narrative' on political stability, unity
JOHOR POLLS | PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has taken a swipe at "false narratives" of political stability and unity used by Umno to justify its call for the forthcoming state election.
Speaking at the launch of Johor PKR's election machinery, Anwar (above) said the primary focus should be to resolve issues affecting the people, including job opportunities, quality of education and cost of living.
"What is there for BN and PN to...
JOHOR POLLS | PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has taken a swipe at "false narratives" of political stability and unity used by Umno to justify its call for the forthcoming state election.
Speaking at the launch of Johor PKR's election machinery, Anwar (above) said the primary focus should be to resolve issues affecting the people, including job opportunities, quality of education and cost of living.
"What is there for BN and PN to be proud of? The ones crowing about the need for stability, what is it for?
"Stability so they can continue to take over land? Stability so they can continue looting? Stability is to ensure the people's fate is taken care of," Anwar said in his speech during the function held at Pulai Springs Resort in Johor Bahru last night.
Outgoing Menteri Besar Hasni Mohammad from Umno had, in justifying the party's request to dissolve the state assembly and trigger the state election, said the BN-led government could not continue to function with only a one-seat majority in the 56-seat state assembly.
Hasni had said the state government was unstable and needed a new mandate to continue with its plans for Johor.
Beyond Johor, Anwar said the false narrative was also proven over 60 years of BN rule before Harapan's take over of Putrajaya in the 14th general election in 2018.
"Yes, it was a stable 60 years! But it did not guarantee a good life for the people. So this 'stability narrative' should not be deceiving.
"Similarly with the narrative on unity. Everybody is talking about unity. Malay unity, ummah unity, people's unity.
"Yes, an independent nation should be united, but to what purpose?
"Unite for the sake of the people. Not unite for generations to loot the nation's wealth," he stressed.
Poverty and social injustice
Anwar, who arrived in Johor from Baling, Kedah, where he attended a function to commemorate the 1974 Baling riots, also alluded to experiences speaking up against extreme poverty and social injustice at that time - which continue to be issues relevant in PKR's current political struggle.
In his speech, Anwar credited Johor PKR's machinery and party members from Selangor and Negeri Sembilan, who were present together with Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun.
On Friday, Anwar had announced the last batch of PKR's 20 candidates, and he yesterday noted that several last minute changes were made to accommodate a pledge for at least three women candidates and three from the youth wing.
Amirudin in his speech reminded that while Bersatu and PN are going up against Umno-BN in the Johor polls, they remain to be a part of the same federal government in Putrajaya.
"They say they are fighting against the kleptocrats, but tomorrow, after they have gone back to KL, they are with the kleptocrats in government," Amirudin said.
Meanwhile, PKR elections director Fuziah Salleh said she had personally met with the party's machinery in all 20 seats, to identify and resolve issues ahead of the campaigning period starting after nominations on Feb 26.
Johor will go to the polls on March 12.
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