KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leaders are geared up to have their day at the next parliamentary sitting, which is scheduled to kick off on February 26.
Pendang MP Datuk Awang Hashim told Scoop today that leaders from the bloc were all well prepared for a potential showdown.
“But I can’t divulge to you the details (of our preparation). We’re the opposition, we have to critique and act as checks and balances for the government in repairing their weaknesses, for our nation’s betterment.
“This is our part, this is our job and there’s just so many issues (for which) we feel the need to criticise, give suggestions as well as advice.
“So, we’ll touch on everything. We can’t limit our task to just debating about one issue. We are excited to go on to the next parliamentary sitting,” he told Scoop at today’s Perikatan Nasional Chinese New Year open house.
Meanwhile, Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said that he was looking forward to debating on issues regarding institutional reforms.
“There are a lot of issues, which I’ve raised previously, on the matters of compromising principles, lack of integrity, corruption and so on.
“Despite having brought these matters up at the previous parliamentary sitting, (I could see) that they continue to happen.
“So, I look forward to talking about policies as well as changes in Parliament as we move forward. And at the same time, I hope the government will walk the talk about things they have said about abolishing pensions for politicians.
“I do not want (to be one of those) who says things outside Parliament and remains quiet during sittings,” he said.
Syed Saddiq also reiterated his stance on the Pardons Board’s recent decision to reduce Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s sentence for misappropriating RM42 million of SRC International Sdn Bhd’s funds.
“We need to uphold the integrity of our judiciary, the country’s system, the federal constitution, and most critically; the rule of law.
“I’ve shared my comments (via social media), especially with regard to the government trying to wash its hands of the matter,” he said.
“The government had told Najib’s supporters that they had done their best but at the same time, telling Malaysians and international committees that they (the government) had nothing to do with the Pardons Board.
“So, contradictory messages (were said) in trying to weave both sides, but in reality, (the government) is losing the hearts and minds of fellow Malaysians.”
On February 2, the Pardons Board announced that Najib’s jail sentence was reduced from 12 years to six, while his fine was lowered from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Last week, Syed Saddiq shared his stance via a video titled “Kerajaan NATO (No Action, Talk Only).”
In the video, he questioned whether the government was being honest in denying that it played a role in the Pardons Board’s decision.
“The government leaders seem to have washed their hands of the board’s decision by saying that it was decided by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and that the leaders were not involved.
“Is this true? (But) there was a case, previously, involving 47 corruption cases related to the deputy prime minister that were dropped. However, they blamed the attorney-general (for this).
“Now that the pardons are given, they (the government) blamed others… so everybody is to be blamed but themselves,” he said in the video. – February 10, 2024
