Shahidan: Govt risks 'E grade' if people had say in midterm evaluation

Arau MP Shahidan Kassim today warned the government that it risked a lower evaluation than the “D grade” given by Bersih if the people had a say in evaluating its mid-year performance after two years in power.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament, Shahidan claimed the Anwar Ibrahim-led administration faces problems both on the domestic and international fronts.

“To the point that the people who used to give the government a high recognition, Bersih, today we in the opposition nearly fainted when they gave a ‘D grade’.

“What does a ‘D grade’ mean? Whoever gets a D can still breathe, but in an injured state,” said Shahidan at a press conference with Perikatan Nasional MPs.

In a presentation of what Bersih dubbed the government’s report card last night, the electoral reform group also ranked Anwar behind its predecessors Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Dr Mahathir Mohamad in fulfilling their reform promises.

Bersih chairperson Faisal Aziz said their assessment of the government’s first two years found there were significant gaps between its reform promises and actual implementation.

The assessment, which combined two sections - the fulfilment of manifesto commitments and a comparison with previous administrations - returned with the Madani government scoring a total of 45.8 percent.

Promptly initiate reforms

Shahidan said the government should urgently initiate reforms in a situation he claimed was made more problematic with more bumiputera MPs being a part of the opposition, contrary to the country’s population of over 70 percent bumiputera.

“The government must do something, and the people are watching. If it was the people that gave the ranking, I believe they would give an E grade.

“But Bersih, alhamdulillah gave a D grade,” said the PAS lawmaker, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Special Select Committee on Human Rights, Election and Institutional Reform.

Shahidan claimed unresolved issues include the supply of local white rice, taking a swipe at Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Mohamad Sabu’s recent promises of new reforms, despite the low grade given on the government’s past promises.

Who rides on religion?

On a separate matter, Shahidan said he awaits Anwar’s return for Prime Minister’s Question Time tomorrow, after official visits to four countries since earlier this month.

Specifically, he alluded to Anwar's press conference in Lima, Peru, where the prime minister responded to criticisms of his recent interview with CNN’s Richard Quest that touched on the existence of the state of Israel.

Anwar described his critics as being among those who “ride on religion” (penunggang agama) to spread lies and slander, stressing the difference between Israel’s existence and Malaysia’s recognition, the former established through membership in the United Nations, while the latter demonstrated through having no diplomatic ties.

“I am waiting to ask...’Who are the ones riding on religion?’ Is religion a ‘horse’ that can be ridden?

“I get very irritated whenever we (opposition) say something, they (government) say ‘we ride on religion’. Just because I wear the songkok am I riding on religion?” asked Shahidan.

Shahidan added more credit should be given to those who sincerely speak up in defence of the religion.

Previously, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said a viral video claiming Anwar accepted Israel’s “right to exist and defend itself”, was edited by certain parties.

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