PSM backs Hassan, urges PKR not to silence its sole voice of Reformasi

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim is the “sole voice and soul of reformasi” left in PKR, according to PSM deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan.

Hassan’s only offence is that he has been principled and stood his ground, he said.

“When many in the Reformasi movement have taken the line of being silent or being ‘yes men’ to the ruling elites, Hassan has been the conscience of the 1998 Reformasi spirit,” he told Malaysiakini.

Arutchelvan was responding to the PKR disciplinary board hauling up the lawmaker over his remarks on Putrajaya’s decision to appoint the royalty-linked U Mobile as the second operator for Malaysia’s 5G network.

Describing the move as “appalling”, Arutchelvan said PSM hoped that justice would prevail and the charges against Hassan (above) would be dropped.

He pointed out that while others have been booted from political parties for jumping ship, and criminal and corruption offences, Hassan’s only crime is being honest and truthful.

“He is the voice of the many but is becoming increasingly isolated within his own party, which has been straying from its original reform agenda.

“Silencing Hassan amounts to silencing the conscience of the movement which PKR president Anwar Ibrahim rallied before,” he stressed.

‘Clarion call for awakening’

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Hassan was accused of tarnishing the party’s image, insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar and criticising the government for “shoring up crony capitalist groups”.

Sultan Ibrahim is the second biggest shareholder in U Mobile.

PKR secretary-general Fuziah Salleh said the disciplinary action was initiated following complaints the party received against Hassan from several members of its central leadership council.

Prior to the disciplinary board hearing, Malaysiakini reported that Hassan was one of the recipients of the 37th Lim Lian Geok Spirit Award for 2024.

He was recognised for his principled stance on current issues and for fearlessly speaking unpopular truths.

“As a government backbencher, he has consistently adhered to principles, defended justice, resisted populism, upheld the rule of law, and, when necessary, stood against the tide, exposing hypocrisy.

“His speeches are like a clarion call for awakening. In his political career, Hassan seeks neither fame nor fortune, showing unyielding integrity and selflessness, a rarity in Parliament,” said the selection committee.

While PKR grills Hassan, foundation fetes him

PKR disciplinary board hauls up Hassan for criticising 5G network decision

Migrant worker quota abuse: It's time to resolve this, says PKR MP

No point allocating billions for food security when local rice still scarce: MP

Don't waste time like Democrats courting Republicans, Hassan tells Harapan

5G licence: Return of the 'mahakaya' crony capitalists, PKR MP says