By Danial Dzulkifly
GOMBAK, Aug 8 – As polling for the state election approaches, Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said Perikatan Nasional (PN) has resorted to rehashing “slanderous” and defamatory remarks as its primary strategy.
Rebuking his political opponents in PN for running out political ammunition, Amirudin said many of their accusations, particularly ones about alleged improprieties related to the Selangor Maritime Gateway (SMG) project and quarries near Bukit Lagong, have been addressed multiple times, both inside and outside the assembly as well as Parliament.
“In recent days, the criticisms have centred around complex issues. I’ve spent over an hour addressing these matters in Parliament, and Izham has likewise spent 45 minutes discussing them at the state assembly,’’ said Amirudin, referring to state executive councillor for infrastructure Izham Hashim.
“It is serious business; the processes for these projects are intricate. However, they (PN) keep rehashing these issues simply to score political points and tarnish the reputation of the state administration.
“We have advised them against such actions, yet they persist with their allegations. When we take legal action, they express outrage. Their tactics mirror those of the ‘green party’ – PN seems to merely replicate and reuse these accusations, particularly as the polling date draws near,” said Amirudin.
Amirudin was speaking to the press at his parliamentary service centre in Taman Samudra here this morning, addressing several allegations by pro-PN activist and politician Badrul Hisham Shaharin, better known as Chegubard.
In an hour-long press conference last night, Hisham made claims of potential misconduct tied to the two highlighted projects.
Amirudin said the issues brought up by Hisham lack basis and is possibly why, apart from caretaker Kedah MB Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, other PN leaders have hesitated to echo them.
Due to the severity of these allegations, Amirudin said he will sue Sanusi and confirmed a legal letter would be sent to Sanusi by Thursday.
When questioned if he would consider retracting the suit should Sanusi apologise, Amirudin quipped it would only be conceivable if the apology spanned “from Mars to Jupiter”.
Similarly, Berjaya Corporation Bhd founder and adviser Tan Sri Vincent Tan has sent a letter of demand to Sanusi, requesting a public apology for making defamatory statements about the SMG project.
Both Tan and Berjaya Land Bhd are seeking RM200 million in compensation in relation to the alleged defamatory claims.
Landasan Lumayan Sdn Bhd (LLSB), the master developer for SMG, has initiated legal action against Hisham for these defamatory statements.
Amirudin said by making these allegations, PN has disrespected state government employees and professionals at state-linked companies who have been working diligently in accordance with the law to ensure the success of SMG.
He said the project is the late Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim’s brainchild, envisioned to be an economic boost for the state. It officially launched during Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s administration of the state under Pakatan Rakyat.
Amirudin also said Bukit Lagong has been designated a production forest since the 1970s, among many other explanations, with regard to mining operations there.
ENDS
