Who are you calling out, unity govt reps ask Fadhli

 

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari shared a cryptic post on Facebook following Umno’s decision to skip a planned rally in solidarity with Najib Razak.

PETALING JAYA: 

Several government elected representatives have questioned a metaphor posted by PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari on social media yesterday, alleging that it could be interpreted as defiance against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Fadhli had shared the cryptic post on Facebook last night following Umno’s decision to pull out of a planned rally in solidarity with former prime minister Najib Razak, in compliance with a statement issued by Istana Negara.

Fadhli’s statement went: “Disangka jantan berkokok nyaring, rupanya ayam betina bertelur sebiji. Disergah biawak, digadai reban.”

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh called on Fadhli, who is also the Pasir Mas MP, to clarify the metaphor, particularly the reference to “biawak”.

“If you’re brave, directly state who you are referring to. Perhaps Fadhli only knows how to crow but lacks the courage to act,” the Merlimau assemblyman told FMT.

Sungai Petani MP Taufiq Johari, of PKR, pointed out that the post was made shortly after Istana Negara called for respect towards the royal prerogative on pardons and established procedures.

“Perhaps the one who ‘startled’ (‘disergah’ in Fadhli’s metaphor) was the king. To me, this is a treasonous statement by the Pasir Mas MP,” he said.

Taufiq also reminded Fadhli that PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan had in 2021 misled Parliament, prompting a rare expression of displeasure from the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.

Sultan Abdullah registered his discontent after Takiyuddin, the then law minister, announced the revocation of the emergency ordinances without royal consent.

Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar, also of PKR, questioned whether Fadhli’s post was an act of defiance.

“Is the YB trying to defy the king?” he wrote on Facebook, sharing a screenshot of Fadhli’s post.

Pulai MP Suhaizan Kaiat, from Amanah, stressed that Fadhli should be careful with such statements.

“PMX (Anwar Ibrahim) stated that pardons are at the king’s discretion. The inspector-general of police (Razarudin Husain) also emphasised that it is the king’s prerogative, and Umno has complied with Istana Negara’s orders,” he said.

Razarudin yesterday urged the public not to take part in any rally in light of the statement by Istana Negara.

FMT has reached out to Fadhli for his response. - FMT