logo
S'gor Opposition snubs gas blast briefing, demands transparency

S'gor Opposition snubs gas blast briefing, demands transparency

The Star07-07-2025
SHAH ALAM: Lawmakers from Selangor's Opposition bloc are boycotting the technical briefing on the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion scheduled for this evening (July 7).
The decision, announced by Selangor Opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali ( pic ), was due to concerns over the briefing being conducted behind closed doors, which he argues undermines accountability and transparency.
'Despite our absence from the briefing, we are committed to actively participating in the debate when the issue is addressed during the Selangor State Assembly sitting starting tomorrow (July 8),' Mohamed Azmin said.
Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari had previously announced that a special technical briefing by agencies would be held today after the state assembly sitting for all MPs and state assemblymen in Selangor regarding the gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights.
Mohamed Azmin said the Opposition bloc was also unhappy that a motion brought up by Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin was rejected by Selangor Speaker Lau Weng San.
'The motion was to request a special state assembly sitting to debate the Putra Heights gas pipeline incident,' said Mohamed Azmin.
'Afif had on July 4, submitted a petition on behalf of 20 residents affected by the blast. This petition was submitted in the interest of public safety and administrative transparency.
'However, the motion was rejected by the Speaker on the grounds that the number of people who signed the petition was too few, and some were not voters from the area.'
The Hulu Kelang assemblyman said he also submitted an urgent motion under Standing Order 17(1) urging the government to release the full investigation report on the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion incident.
"This is because the initial report was inconclusive, not comprehensive and failed to answer many critical questions,' said Mohamed Azmin, who said that a White Paper on the matter must be presented in a special assembly.
"We want to delve into the factors that triggered the incident, for example, whether there was negligence involved and possible failures in the planning approval process in granting the right-of-way access.'
The Bersatu politician added that the Opposition bloc also wants a thorough investigation to be carried out and for the planning permission approval process by local councils to be tightened.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

July 26 rally to highlight people's economic hardship, says Perikatan
July 26 rally to highlight people's economic hardship, says Perikatan

The Star

time8 hours ago

  • The Star

July 26 rally to highlight people's economic hardship, says Perikatan

PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional fully supports the 'Himpunan Turun Anwar' rally, saying it is meant to free the rakyat from economic hardships and the current administration's tyranny. 'The peaceful rally is a manifestation of the people's desire to bring about true change for the peace and prosperity of the nation,' said Perikatan Nasional secretary-general Mohamed Azmin Ali in a statement on Friday (July 25). The rally is scheduled to take place on Saturday (July 26), with participants expected to gather at five locations – Masjid Negara, Pasar Seni, Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad, Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru, and the Sogo shopping mall – before marching to Dataran Merdeka. Azmin said the matter of the rally was discussed at a meeting held by the opposition coalition's supreme council on Friday evening, which was attended by all member parties. 'Among matters that were given attention were the preparations for the Sabah state election, the formation of a unified opposition alliance and the 'Turun Anwar' rally,' Azmin said. He added that Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in his speech, touched on various current national issues, including the country's political stability, the judiciary's independence and the cost of living that has been continuously burdening the rakyat. 'The supreme council has formed a main committee for the Sabah state election to identify seats to be contested by Perikatan Nasional, form strategies in each constituency, and come up with a manifesto for the people of Sabah. 'The council also studied the formation of the unified opposition alliance presented by Muhyiddin, which aims to forge an understanding between all political parties outside the government bloc,' Azmin said.

Joining united front not the same as signing up with PN, says Ramasamy
Joining united front not the same as signing up with PN, says Ramasamy

Free Malaysia Today

time3 days ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Joining united front not the same as signing up with PN, says Ramasamy

Urimai chairman P Ramasamy said his party supports Bersatu's call for a united opposition but has no intention of becoming part of PN. PETALING JAYA : Joining a united opposition front comprising various parties outside the ruling bloc is not the same as entering a formal coalition like Perikatan Nasional (PN), Urimai chairman P Ramasamy said following the views of two political analysts on the matter. Ramasamy said it was misleading to suggest that political parties like Muda or Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) avoid the initiative solely due to the perception that it is an extension of PN. In a statement, he said such a view 'conflates two very different political realities'. He gave the example of his party, which he said supports Bersatu's call for a united opposition but has no intention of becoming part of PN. 'There is a fundamental misunderstanding in equating participation in the united front with formal membership in Bersatu, PAS, or the PN coalition. 'This distinction is critical. Supporting a broader political platform to challenge the government does not imply ideological alignment with all parties involved.' Earlier today, two political analysts told FMT that Muda risked eroding its modest support base by aligning with Bersatu on its proposed united opposition front. Universiti Sains Malaysia's Azmil Tayeb said joining the pact would tarnish Muda's image as a moderate party, while Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said the party could lose its core supporters. Bersatu agreed last week that its president Muhyiddin Yassin would spearhead efforts to build a united opposition front in preparation for the 16th general election. Subsequently, on July 18, the former prime minister met with the heads of various parties opposed to the government, including Muda, PSM, Pejuang, Putra, the Malaysian Advancement Party, and Urimai. Ramasamy said equating the united opposition front with a formal coalition 'oversimplified' the political landscape and unfairly discredited efforts to build a more inclusive opposition. 'Analysts and detractors alike would do well to acknowledge this complexity rather than indulge in lazy political shorthand,' he added.

Join ‘united opposition front' at own risk, Muda warned
Join ‘united opposition front' at own risk, Muda warned

Free Malaysia Today

time3 days ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Join ‘united opposition front' at own risk, Muda warned

On July 18, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin met with leaders from Muda, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Pejuang, Putra, the Malaysian Advancement Party and Urimai to discuss the proposed united opposition front. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Muda risks eroding its modest support base by aligning with Bersatu on its proposed 'united opposition front', two political analysts have warned. Universiti Sains Malaysia's Azmil Tayeb said joining the pact would tarnish Muda's image as a moderate party. Oh Ei Sun. Oh Ei Sun of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs said Muda draws much of its support from middle- to upper-class moderates and liberals in urban and suburban areas. He said this voter demographic tends to abhor the conservative and regressive leanings associated with Perikatan Nasional (PN), the opposition coalition led by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin. 'By associating itself with PN, Muda risks losing these core supporters,' he told FMT. 'They will make for the doors the moment they hear Muda is affiliating itself with PN.' Azmil Tayeb. Azmil warned Muda against associating itself with far-right parties like Berjasa, Mukhriz Mahathir's Pejuang, and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), led by the controversial Ibrahim Ali. 'In my opinion, this coalition (the united opposition front) has no clear ideology and agenda other than to bring down Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. It's an unstable coalition with parties that are so different from one another,' he said. '(Joining it will) reflect badly on Muda's image and reputation as a multiethnic and multireligious party.' Last week, Bersatu's Supreme Council agreed that Muhyiddin should spearhead efforts to build a united opposition front in preparation for the 16th general election. Following that, on July 18, the Bersatu president held a meeting with the heads of various parties opposed to the government, including Muda, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), Pejuang, Putra, the Malaysian Advancement Party and P Ramasamy's Urimai. PAS did not attend the meeting, citing 'other commitments' involving its senior leadership. Ramasamy has since expressed his support for the pact, but PSM and Muda said they remain undecided. Azmil said Muda should instead focus on bolstering its existing partnership with PSM and working at the grassroots level 'regardless of the reward'. Oh, however, said Muda must align itself with one of the three grand coalitions in Malaysia's political arena — PN, Pakatan Harapan or Barisan Nasional. He said that, to date, no political party has emerged on its own as a credible third force capable of reshaping the national political landscape. 'It will be a prolonged struggle if Muda were to remain unaligned,' he added. Muda contested under the PH banner in the 2022 general election. However, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, its founder and sole MP, withdrew the party's support for the unity government in September 2023 . The party also signed a pact with PSM in the lead-up to the six state elections held in August 2023. However, both saw their candidates soundly beaten at the polls.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store