Opposition leaders slam ‘extravagant’ Madani celebration

 

P Punithan and Wan Fayshal Wan Ahmad Kamal say celebrations are in contradiction to principles set out by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

PETALING JAYA: 

Opposition leaders have slammed the Madani government’s decision to hold its second anniversary celebration at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Nov 22 to 24.

It was earlier scheduled to be held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysian Indian People’s Party president P Punithan told FMT the decision to host a three-day event at a high-profile venue like KLCC signals misplaced priorities.

“With Malaysians faced with rising costs of living and financial pressures, such a grand event seems disconnected from the real challenges faced by the people,” said Punithan, who is also the deputy chairman of Perikatan Nasional.

He said the money could have been spent on urgent national needs, such as social welfare programmes, infrastructure improvements, or improving essential services such as toilets at the Mara Junior Science College in Langkawi.

Punithan said the extravagant Madani celebration was in contradiction to the principles laid out by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim when he took office.

In 2022, Anwar called on agencies to refrain from holding grand ceremonies. He asked government agencies to stop organising big-scale ceremonies or buying new attire for events to avoid wasting public funds.

Bersatu Supreme Council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said the government seemed to be hypocritical by organising such events.

“We have been saying umpteen times that this government is hypocritical. He (Anwar) has reneged on many promises and reforms, and even directives like these are being ignored.

“They won’t listen to the people and opposition because they believe they have the majority support from the MPs,” said the Machang MP. - FMT