You’re not in the opposition now, stop your attacks, Anwar told

 

Pendang MP Awang Hashim (left) says Anwar Ibrahim is playing with ‘illusions and perceptions’ instead of working on resolving the issues affecting the nation.

PETALING JAYA: A PAS MP has hit out at Anwar Ibrahim for his accusations against Perikatan Nasional (PN), telling the prime minister to stop acting as though he is in the opposition.

Pendang MP Awang Hashim accused the Pakatan Harapan chairman of playing with “illusions and perceptions” instead of working on economic recovery and resolving issues affecting the nation.

“(This government) is still stuck with its opposition mentality, that’s why they’re constantly attacking (PN).

“If they keep this up, how are we going to build a more mature and professional mentality among Malaysians?” the PAS central committee member told FMT.

Awang, who was the deputy human resources minister in the previous two administrations, said Anwar’s unity government should stop politicking and start focusing on governing the country.

On Monday, Anwar told a press conference that finance ministry officers had confirmed that there were serious breaches in government procedures in the purported expenditure of RM600 billion by Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, had also implied that PN’s election campaign was partly funded by gambling companies, particularly those involved in 4D special draws.

Muhyiddin and PN leaders have come out to deny both claims, while a police report was lodged against Anwar for implying that gambling firms helped fund PN’s election campaign.

Awang said Anwar should not be making such claims at a whim though he had received information from government officers. He said the prime minister needed to learn to be more “discerning”.

“After they ‘reveal’ these things (against PN) and we ask for proof, they (the government) are unable to give (proof),” he said.

He also asked Anwar to explain reports that Treasury secretary-general Asri Hamidin had been told to go on leave soon after Anwar started work in the finance ministry.

He said disciplinary action can be taken if there was any wrongdoing by Asri, but maintained that Anwar needed to reveal if there was any such misconduct.

On Tuesday, Anwar confirmed that a new Treasury secretary-general would be appointed, though he did not say that Asri was told to go on garden leave. - FMT