Anwar: Former PKR members who won on reform agenda should not criticise party

 

PETALING JAYA: Those who won elections on PKR's platform should not criticise the party, as they were elected on the strength of its reform agenda, says PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Without naming anyone, the Prime Minister said some former party members who are now questioning PKR had secured victory because voters believed in the party's ideals of justice and reform.

"Some people, including those who were once in Parliament after winning under Keadilan's banner, are now questioning Keadilan," he said.

"You won because of the support of the Chinese, the Indians and the Malays, who believed in Keadilan and Pakatan Harapan's agenda of justice and reform. Isn't that true?" he said in his speech at the PKR Youth Generasi Muda Suara Baharu programme on Friday (July 24).

The Pakatan chairman also took aim at politicians who remained silent while in power.

He said some used their positions to amass wealth, only to champion racial issues after losing office.

"Some people remained silent while they were in power. Others were even worse," he said.

"They used their time in office to accumulate wealth. There were all kinds of financial scandals. But once they lost power, they suddenly claimed they were fighting to save the Malays," he said.

Anwar said no community would benefit from corrupt leaders or politicians who placed personal interests above the welfare of the people.

"The Malays will not be safe if we hand power to Chinese representatives who are afraid to act and are more concerned about their own interests and businesses than the welfare of the people.

"The same goes for our Indian friends. But we know this country will be safe if we set the right direction," he said.

Anwar said the Madani government's reform agenda was based on fairness and need rather than race.

He cited the government's decision to admit holders of the Unified Examination Certificate into public higher education institutions, provided they passed Bahasa Melayu and History in Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, as well as assistance extended to schools based on need, regardless of the stream.

"In the past, we said we would help only national schools. Today, we say we will help schools that need assistance," he said.

"That is the new reform agenda. It cuts across race and focuses on the need and importance of uplifting the living standards of our people," he said. - Star