Pakatan Harapan’s youth wing has warned that the coalition must not be seen as “shielding” BN, while calling for their cooperation to be reassessed following current political developments.
Harapan Youth said political cooperation should be based on trust, respect and shared principles, rather than numerical calculations.
“Harapan must not be seen as becoming a ‘shield’ for BN over various past issues that ultimately weaken and damage Harapan’s own image,” it said in a statement today.
The statement was issued by Harapan Youth chief and DAP Youth chief Woo Kah Leong, PKR Youth chief Kamil Abdul Munim and Amanah Youth chief Hasbie Muda.
They also called for Harapan chapters in all states to be allowed to review their cooperation with BN at the state level.
Ties between the two coalitions have been strained following recent state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, despite their continued cooperation in the federal government.
The partnership has also come under scrutiny within Harapan, with DAP delegates due to convene at a special congress on Aug 16 to decide whether its leaders should continue holding government posts.
Concrete action
The youth leaders said political considerations should also not affect enforcement or accountability, including when allegations involve government-linked entities.
“Real reform means that the law and enforcement do not recognise political colours,” they said.
Harapan Youth pointed out that the public expects concrete action against allegations involving government-linked entities and that it was not enough for controversial issues to be merely “monitored” or “investigated”.
“Any allegations involving scandals, abuse of power, misconduct, conflicts of interest or weaknesses in governance involving GLCs, government-owned companies or any entity that uses public funds or serves the public interest must be thoroughly investigated,” it said.
“The principle is simple: the people’s money must be protected. It does not matter who is involved, who is behind them or what their political position may be.”
It also called for greater transparency in GLC contracts, competitive procurement, declarations of conflicts of interest, effective audits and clearer accountability.
Their call came amid renewed scrutiny of public institutions following the release of the royal commission of inquiry report on Tabung Haji, although Harapan Youth did not specifically refer to the controversy involving the pilgrims’ fund.
Last week, the MACC arrested a former CEO and CFO of a statutory body-owned company over a RM370 million plantation share acquisition in a probe linked to the RCI findings.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has also called for a comprehensive investigation into the findings.
The demands were among five resolutions reached at a Harapan Youth meeting yesterday.
Petrol quota, freedom to speak up
Harapan Youth also urged the government to restore the monthly Budi95 subsidised RON95 quota from 200 litres to 300 litres, particularly for those who depend heavily on private vehicles.
It called for the Budi Madani Diesel mechanism to be reviewed to prevent eligible recipients from being excluded due to registration or eligibility issues.
On civil liberties, Harapan Youth called for further reforms to the Peaceful Assembly Act.
“We do not want a country that only allows the people to speak when their voices are aligned with the government.
“The Madani era must be an era in which the people are not afraid to speak, and the government is not afraid to listen.”
The Federal Court ruled last July that Section 9(5) of the Act, which criminalised organisers for failing to provide advance notice of an assembly, was unconstitutional.
The government later decided to amend the Act, while the Attorney-General’s Chambers withdrew its application in January to review the ruling.
Harapan Youth also proposed giving Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students with a 4.0 CGPA and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia (Stam) students who achieve excellent results priority consideration for one of their top three public university choices, subject to programme requirements and available places.
The proposal follows recurring controversy over public university admissions involving top STPM scorers. - Mkini
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