SHAH ALAM, July 14 — Leader of the Opposition Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stated he is confident that the Pakatan Harapan (PH)-led state governments would be able to persevere in the 15th general election to come.
In an exclusive interview with Media Selangor on July 4, the PKR president was asked why voters in Selangor and Penang have continued to support the state governments in the past three electoral terms.
“Speaking as a Penang native residing in Selangor and the MP of a Negeri Sembilan parliamentary seat, I feel the people’s awareness and understanding is far more comprehensive.
“I am optimistic that we can defend (Selangor and Penang) and achieve tremendous victories in these states. Our challenge is to convey the information beyond (the two states),” he said.
Anwar said he had previously informed Amirudin the state machinery should not limit itself to expounding information in Selangor alone, as all its benefits are not known beyond its borders.
“Take water, for example, it is free in Selangor. When speaking at a longhouse in Sarawak, its head might become concerned when we campaign as the listeners may not understand the concept of unpaid water (air tak bayar) whereas we (in Selangor) consider it a normal thing,” he said.
As such, Anwar said efforts must be made to provide information beyond Selangor’s borders, adding that even if those listening disagree, they would at least be in possession of the facts.
Meanwhile, the PH chairman said that the state governments should nonetheless be on their guard since their political opponents will use any and all attempts to discredit or slander them in the eyes of the electorate.
The Port Dickson MP was also asked if the administrative models of the states under PH will instil more confidence in the future general election given that many of the initiatives implemented, particularly in Selangor, have been successfully realised every time the people are burdened by difficulties.
“First, if we take an objective look at the progress and measures in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan and Penang, they comparatively surpass the other states. But to do so, it is necessary to elucidate the information to the people, they must know (for example) what Selangor’s education policy is like when compared to the other states.
“I frequently mention this to my colleagues who are Menteri Besars and Chief Ministers, urging them to go further ahead as we slowly increase, making structural changes and gradually reducing the gaps,” he said.
Anwar noted that in the case of Selangor, whenever a problem emerges, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari would go down to the ground and attempt to solve it.
“Does this help? Certainly so. Every time I meet the Selangor leadership, I remark that there is a consolidation (unification) in Selangor. Once strengthened, then the Selangor machinery should go down to other states to provide explanations to the electorate.
“For example years ago I was campaigning in Johor Bahru. Some members of the public said to me: ‘We agree with Anwar… but why the mosques in Penang are not allowed to broadcast the azan?’ To us, this of course is preposterous. Being from Penang myself, the mosques still carry on as they do.
To this, Anwar stressed these instances should not be taken lightly, as such cheap propaganda and slander from Pakatan’s political opponents can sometimes have an impact on the electorate.
“Some might be inclined to support us but remain sceptical due to the allegations that DAP in Penang has Christianised the state and banned mosques from using loudspeakers for the azan,” he said.
“This is a real lie but such is the petty and dirty politics they play,” he said.
Read Part 2 of the interview on SelangorKini HERE
