Come for rally but leave 'pretentious politics' behind, organiser tells PN

Summary

• The anti-graft rally secretariat welcomes the support of PAS and Bersatu Youth wings but warns them not to bring party paraphernalia.

• The secretariat also says they would not hesitate to kick the Perikatan Nasional parties out of the rally.

• The group reminds PAS of how the Islamist party did not do anything substantial to curb graft.

The anti-graft rally secretariat welcomed the support of PAS and Bersatu Youth wings for the upcoming rally on Jan 25.

However, the secretariat issued one warning to the Perikatan Nasional parties: “Leave your pretentious politics out of the rally or risk getting kicked out.”

“We welcome PAS and Bersatu Youth wings’ support as the anti-corruption rally goes beyond party politics or ideology.

“However, be warned not to bring any paraphernalia representing your party on Jan 25. This rally belongs to the people, not to be ridden by any political parties.

“If we find you misusing our rally, we will not hesitate to give you the boot - from the rally and in the next general election,” it said in a statement today.

Earlier today, PAS and Bersatu’s youth wings confirmed their participation in the “Himpunan Rakyat Benci Rasuah”.

PAS Youth information chief Nadzir Helmi described the rally as a reflection of the people’s democratic rights, and that the Federal Constitution guarantees the freedoms of speech and peaceful assembly.

“As a democratic nation, the freedom to assemble peacefully is a cornerstone of democracy and a critical component in holding the ruling government accountable.

“Therefore, it is the responsibility of both the people and the opposition to ensure the continued fight for reform and transparency,” said Nadzir in a media statement.

PAS’ hypocrisy

However, the rally secretariat was not impressed by Nadzir’s reasoning.

For starters, the secretariat said they remember how PAS MPs such as Takiyuddin Hassan, Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, and Siti Mastura Muhammad attended a rally to support former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak during the latter’s case proceedings over the royal addendum issue.

“These PAS MPs showed solidarity for a former PM who was convicted over a corruption case, to defend a so-called victim of injustice,” it said.

The secretariat also reminded the Islamist party of how it rejected declaring its assets in 2019, during the Pakatan Harapan administration.

“And they gave a very illogical reason - Islam bars asset declarations.

“So, what is so anti-corruption about PAS when they stand with it?” the secretariat asked.

The issues mentioned, the secretariat said, only prove how PAS can be pretentious just to hoodwink the people.

The group said that until today, PAS has never offered any ideas or solutions to the present government on curbing graft or reforming the system.

“In a nutshell, PAS lacks the competence to eradicate graft from Malaysia,” it added.

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