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

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Small parties risk being tied to PN in opposition front
Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and leaders of six small parties met last week to discuss the formation of a united opposition front. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : Small parties invited to join the proposed united opposition front may find it difficult to shake off perceptions that they have become part of Perikatan Nasional itself, a political analyst said. Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said PN, largely made up of PAS and Bersatu, remains the most influential opposition force ahead of the 16th general election due to its strength in the Dewan Rakyat and state assemblies. 'Since PAS is the strongest party in PN (based on seat count and its control of four states), there's a high chance it will drive decisions or plans that may not favour non-Malay parties. 'These smaller parties, which have little to no representation in the Dewan Rakyat or state legislatures, will still be seen as operating under PN's framework,' he told FMT. He was commenting on remarks by Urimai chairman P Ramasamy, who said it was 'misleading' to equate joining the proposed united opposition front mooted by PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin with entering a formal coalition. Ramasamy said his party supports Bersatu's call for a united opposition, but has no intention of becoming part of PN. Muhyiddin held talks on July 18 with leaders of several opposition parties, including Muda, Parti Sosialis Malaysia, Pejuang, Putra, the Malaysian Advancement Party, and Urimai. Mazlan said it would be a major challenge to balance the Malay-Muslim-centric messaging of PN with the multiracial and equal rights platforms of other parties. 'There could be a clash of narratives, which will create a dilemma about what image PN wants to project. Its success so far was built on Malay support. Now they're cooperating with non-Malay leaders who were previously labelled as hardliners,' he said, referring to Ramasamy and MAP chief P Waytha Moorthy. Ariff Aizuddin Azlan of Universiti Teknologi Mara said the grouping must be carefully managed to avoid internal conflicts rooted in race or religion. 'If PN can focus on broader issues like government's performance and public welfare, it could serve as a more cohesive opposition force offering ideas that resonate with voters,' he said. However, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said any party considering joining the 'united opposition front' would weigh PAS's role carefully. 'Ramasamy is right in saying that being invited does not equate to joining PN, even if Bersatu is leading the initiative. But the reality is that, without PAS, there is no real opposition. It remains the dominant force based on the results of the 15th general election,' he said.


The Star
16 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.


Free Malaysia Today
3 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.