6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Opposition urged to use 'PM's Question Time' for checks and balances
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin has called on the opposition to make full use of the Prime Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat every Tuesday if they are genuinely committed to the principle of checks and balances.
"Personally, I believe the space allocated in Parliament every Tuesday should be fully utilised. That is the platform where the opposition, if they truly want to uphold checks and balances, should be directing their questions straight to the Prime Minister," he said during the Analisis Madani programme on TV Al-Hijrah.
Shamsul Iskandar also called on the opposition to break free from the politics of identity.
The PKR leader said the opposition should raise better issues in the "Turun Anwar" rally planned for this Saturday instead of identity-based matters.
"We are also trying to overcome the politics of identity, where we see the opposition are more comfortable harping on narrow issues such as race, religion, and other identity-based matters.
"That's why, for example, there's going to be a rally on July 26, just days away, purely over the alleged reason that Anwar should be removed from office.
"The reason? Supposedly because he doesn't defend the Malays, and so on. To me, we must break free from this narrow perception of identity politics.
"As for the rally, this is the first time I've ever heard of a Prime Minister giving instructions to the police to facilitate such a gathering," he said.
He called on the opposition to raise broader issues and highlight actual weaknesses in policy that the Prime Minister needs to improve on.
"To me, some of the arguments made are extremely shallow. Because if we look at the record, both in terms of economic performance and the Prime Minister's diligence, it far surpasses that of past ministers.
"If we compare, he's 10 times more committed. So I ask, what exactly are the real arguments here?
"If there's a better candidate, name them. I too would like to know who the opposition thinks is better," he said.
Earlier today, Anwar's senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah said in a daily briefing that the Prime Minister has asked the police to offer appropriate cooperation and facilitation for the rally.
He added that Anwar has also directed the police to cooperate with organisers and ensure public safety without resorting to any form of intimidation or unnecessary restriction.
Meanwhile, responding to criticisms of the "extraordinary tribute" announced by Anwar yesterday, which includes a one-off RM100 assistance for adults aged 18 and above, he said the government was leveraging the mid-term review as an opportunity to build momentum by unveiling allocations and initiatives aimed at benefiting the people after two and a half years in power.
