6 hours Ago By Hakim Mahari
KUALA LUMPUR: A Pas leader has defended the opposition's criticisms of the government, saying they were not aimed at sensationalising issues but were borne out of duty to the people.Pas information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari said the opposition's raising of issues was no different from what Pakatan Harapan did before they rose to power.He was responding to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's call to Malaysians against providing a platform to "ignorant individuals" who politicise and manipulate issues for their benefit.
Fadhli, who is the Pasir Mas member of parliament, said legitimate questions asked of the government should not be seen as "manipulation"."This is not a political game, it's a moral responsibility to the people," he said.Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said people should not be labelled as "ignorant" simply because they criticised the government.
"It is entirely reasonable for some policies to be criticised," he said.The Machang MP said that the present opposition was not as aggressive as Pakatan Harapan ministers when they were on the other side of the bench.Earlier, in his speech at the Prime Minister's Department monthly assembly, Anwar urged Malaysians not to give a platform to "ignorant individuals" who politicise and manipulate every issue without regard for the public interest.
He said discussions on national development and the economy — including issues such as tariffs — should be handled constructively, rather than focusing on divisive matters that threaten to tear society apart.© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd.
