KUALA LUMPUR : Lack of consultation and discipline among its lawmakers was how the Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal administration collapsed, said Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan.
Drawing a comparison to the current Madani government, he said, just like before, PH is delivering on promises it did not make instead of living up to its reformist manifesto.
He was referring to the sudden collapse of the previous PH Federal Government in February 2020, when then PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad quit his post amid the infamous Sheraton Move.
“Now the police once again are forced to investigate multiple police reports under 3R (race, religion, and royalty) when these comments are really general concerns and protected under Article 10 of the Federal Constitution on freedom of expression.
“The prime minister needs to keep his unity government in unity,” said Arutchelvan in a statement days ago. It was carried among others by newsportal the malaysiakini.
Arutchelvan was commenting on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks regarding Seputeh MP Teresa Kok's non-supporting of the Madani's proposal to make halal certification mandatory to all business entities that don't sell alcohol or pork.
Yesterday, Anwar clarified that the DAP vice-chairperson’s statement against a proposal for mandatory halal certification did not represent PH stance.
Both PKR and DAP are component members of PH which is currently in coalition with the Umno-led Barisan Nasional, once the numero uno enemy of PH.
Anwar said Kok’s statement on the matter sparked an unnecessary and irrelevant controversy.
The day before, Kok said the proposed move could increase the burden on businesses, including thousands of Malay restaurant operators.
This came after reports that the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) was mulling a proposal to make halal certification mandatory for restaurants and food companies that do not serve pork or alcohol.
Kok’s criticism of the mandatory halal certification proposal caused an uproar among conservative politicians including Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.
The police are also investigating her for allegedly causing religious offence and making statements conducive to public mischief.
A number of Sabah politicians like Dr Edwin Bosi of Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri and Dr Julia Ongkili of Parti Sedar Rakyat have also came out supporting Teresa, while calling onthe Government to rethink its proposal to make it mandatory to have halal certificate for traders as long as they don't sell pork and alcohol.#
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