Umno, which had sabotaged our economy and nearly brought our nation to ruin, must not be allowed to rule again, says Mohamed Arshad Raji.
It is unfortunate that this political turmoil has to happen at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has added more stress to an already deteriorating economy. Much work has to be done to combat the viral threat and to stimulate the economy for a steady growth.
Political leaders are expected to provide leadership to ensure that our country and people are safe and to ensure minimal discomfort among the people if at all a recession creeps in at the end of this year.
The engineering of the coup to force the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government and the attempt to form a ‘back-door government’ by unscrupulous politicians is abhorrent.
The names of these saboteurs – comprising politicians from some among PKR and Bersatu who wanted to work with Umno and Pas – should be confined to a hall of perpetual shame. Their conduct shows greed and selfishness, putting themselves first before the people’s needs.
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The fact that these saboteurs could work with Umno politicians, many of them on trial or charged with heinous crimes, is shocking. Also, there are those alleged to have received over RM90m of 1MDB money and well known for their parochial outlook, thus making them cohorts of the same feather flocking together.
It appears that Pakatan Harapan, now comprising PKR, the DAP and Amanah, is the current most united group and has the most number of MPs compared to other groups.
Patriot would like to see PH given the chance to form a government. Patriot implores MPs from Bersatu, Warisan and Gabungan Parti Sarawak, those with principles, to join PH and help form the government. It is good that Dr Mahathir Mohamad leads this new coalition in the interim period.
A snap election should be avoided at all costs. Let PH continue to take the leadership in governing, as it is also the mandate given to it by the people.
Patriot views the call for a snap election by Umno and Pas as unwise and selfish. It will take several months – from the planning and execution of a general election to the time a new government and cabinet can settle down. A general election at this time will send our economy into a tailspin and hasten a economic recession.
Our tourism industry must quickly recover. Tourism contributed 13.3% of our GDP in 2018 or RM42bn to our economy. Our stock market, after breaking news of the engineered coup over the weekend, has plunged to the 1,500 level. Our ringgit has dropped to 4.23 to a US dollar. The ongoing infrastructure projects must go on with proper supervision.
Due to these reasons and many more, a government must quickly be formed and PH should be given the chance to lead again. Umno, which had sabotaged our economy and nearly brought our nation to ruin, must not be allowed to rule again.
Patriot wants all politicians to put the interest of the people and nation before themselves. This nonsense of the engineered coup should not have happened.
Retired Brigadier-General Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji is president of the National Patriots Association (Patriot)
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
‘The interest of the people and nation comes first’
Above is the promise politicians worldwide make but DO THEY PRACTISE IT as
IS IT NOT COMMON FOR MOST POLITICIANS TO GIVE PRIORITY TO OWN INTERESTS FIRST and people’s interest may be only token in nature?
COMMON PERCEPTION: POLITICS IS BAD but
REALITY MAY BE THAT POLITICIANS MAY BE BAD.
HAS THIS NOT BEEN DEMONSTRATED WORLDWIDE PERIODICALLY WHERE SOME MAY HAVE USED POLITICAL POWER FOR RETAINING POWER AND PERSONAL GREED AND ENRICHING OWNSELF-RELATIVES-FRIENDS-FINANCIERS [who may have financed their election campaingss costs]?
IS CHANGING OF LOYALTIES VIA HOPPING FROM PARTY TO PARTY NOT BE ANOTHER EVIDENCE THAT PERSONAL INTEREST MAY BE THE PRIME OBJECTIVE OF SOME POLITICIANS?