'Look in the mirror,' Hilman tells Harapan Youth chief on 'worst opposition' jibe

Summary

• Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham tells Pakatan Harapan Youth chief Woo Kah Leong to assess the government's performance before criticising Perikatan Nasional.

• Hilman claims Harapan has a longer list of unresolved issues that sparked the people's unhappiness.

Bersatu Youth chief Hilman Idham has taken a swipe at newly appointed Pakatan Harapan Youth chief Woo Kah Leong's remark labelling Perikatan Nasional as “the worst opposition in history”.

Hilman (above) urged Woo to reflect on Harapan's performance in government before criticising PN on the issue of opposition allocation.

"After only three days as the new Harapan Youth chairperson, he should first assess the performance of the Harapan government today,” said the Gombak Setia assemblyperson in a statement today.

"Look in the mirror. If we (PN) were to list them, there would be more than 1,001 reasons for people to assert that the current government has failed.

"From major issues such as economic and financial management of the country, soaring inflation, and the violation of human rights, to matters concerning the rice and paddy industry - everything highlights how Harapan has failed to govern and manage the nation and its people today.”

Yesterday, Woo claimed that PN MPs never purposely refused to negotiate with the government on their demand for equal allocation and labelled the coalition as the worst opposition in history.

‘No need a lot of talk’

PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin recently reiterated that the opposition had grounds to reject the government's memorandum of understanding that listed out conditions to be fulfilled for the allocation.

Woo, however, pointed out that PN's chief whip in Parliament, Kota Baru MP Takiyuddin Hassan, had said the coalition would submit a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof, who has been put in charge of the negotiations.

Commenting further, Hilman reminded the Pasir Bedamar assemblyperson that a youth chief should bring a more mature and constructive political culture.

"There is no need for a lot of talk. It’s better for us to work for the people and country.

"Gather your courage, criticise the prime minister, and make sure Harapan fulfil their promises," he said.

'Woo doubles down'

In a separate statement today, Woo doubled down on his "worst opposition" jibe in response to Gerakan president Dominic Lau's call for Ayer Kuning voters to send the government a strong signal in the upcoming by-election.

The DAP Youth chief claimed this was because PN leaders, particularly from PAS, have continued a "culture of slander", including against his party.

“It is certainly not wrong to label PN as the worst opposition in the country’s history, as the entire opposition bloc not only engages in politics of slander but also avoids negotiating constituency allocations with the government.

"This is despite being repeatedly reminded by the prime minister since 2023," said Woo.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had on various occasions reiterated that the government is open for negotiations and that opposition MPs should engage directly with Fadillah.

Damage control

Harapan Youth information chief Ammar Atan also chimed in by highlighting the absence of top PN leaders Muhyiddin and Abdul Hadi Awang during Prime Minister’s Question Time and other debates in the Dewan Rakyat.

“If they truly believe in their rhetoric, why don’t they attend and debate openly,” he said in a statement today, in response to Hilman.

He said the opposition should act as a check-and-balance against the government but has supposedly instead become preoccupied with stoking racial and religious sentiments and hurling baseless accusations.

Ammar also highlighted Malaysia's poor economic performance during the PN administration and the lack of achievements from its SG4 initiative.

“Unemployment was rising, investments nosedived, and government policies kept changing depending on who had the reins of power.

“Now, the Madani government is repairing the damage PN left in its wake, including to attract large investment and to stabilise the ringgit’s value,” he said.

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