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Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Kedah Umno Youth slams ‘hypocritical' MIC leader as spat widens
Ties between the Umno and MIC chapters in Kedah have been strained after the latter passed a motion to work with PN in GE16. PETALING JAYA : A Kedah MIC leader has been branded a hypocrite by the state's Umno Youth after he criticised them for joining forces with DAP, as the rift between the two Barisan Nasional (BN) components widened. Kedah MIC chairman SK Suresh was reported to have said that Umno was in no position to talk about loyalty as it was now collaborating with DAP. Suresh also said that Umno was willing to throw the past away after joining forces with its once bitter rivals. He had said this in response to Kedah BN information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin who had yesterday remarked that the coalition would not beg for the support of those who had turned their backs on them. Shaiful also said that loyalty 'is not something to be toyed with, traded during elections and reclaimed in times of difficulty.' His comments came in the wake of a motion passed by Kedah MIC to work with Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the next general election (GE16). In a statement yesterday, Kedah Umno Youth chief Raqib Abu Hassan said Suresh was being a hypocrite, while the latter's response to Shaiful was 'shallow'. 'Taking a swipe at Kedah Umno for 'cosying up' with DAP is trite. 'The reality is that it is MIC that has lost its allies and influence in Kedah, not Umno.' Raqib also said that Kedah MIC should stop playing 'hero', adding that Kedah BN would not be cowed by such threats. He also went on to wish Kedah MIC all the best and sarcastically suggested that the Indian-based party no longer needed to be part of a coalition that once came to its rescue. The motion by Kedah MIC was raised at the party's state annual general meeting yesterday, which was also attended by its president SA Vigneswaran. Suresh, however, said that the motion would be brought to the central leadership for a final decision. The motion comes a week after Vigneswaran said MIC was prepared to engage in discussions with any political party to ensure its survival and better serve the Indian community. MIC's future has been under scrutiny after deputy president M Saravanan said the party's direction would be decided at its annual general meeting in October. In an interview with Utusan Malaysia last month, Saravanan said MIC felt like an 'unwanted guest' in the unity government with no posts in the government despite having senior political figures like himself as party leaders.
Free Malaysia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
All the best, BN man tells Kedah MIC after motion to work with PN
Kedah MIC approved a motion at its annual general meeting yesterday to cooperate with PN in the next general election. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A Kedah Barisan Nasional leader wished MIC 'all the best' after the party's Kedah chapter passed a motion to work with Perikatan Nasional in the next general election. Kedah BN information chief Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the motion signalled Kedah MIC's unwillingness to continue working with BN to strengthen their political presence in the state. If this was the will of MIC's grassroots, he said, BN would not beg for the support of those who had turned their backs on the coalition. 'Kedah MIC is free to make its own political choices. But let it be clear to all that once the door is opened for you to leave, do not one day return demanding seats, privileges, or space in BN after having made your choice to support the other side. 'Loyalty is not something to be toyed with, traded during elections and reclaimed in times of difficulty,' he told FMT. The motion was raised by a Kedah MIC delegate at the party's state annual general meeting yesterday, which was also attended by MIC president SA Vigneswaran. Kedah MIC chairman SK Suresh said, however, that the motion would be brought to the central leadership for a final decision, China Press reported. Kedah has been led by menteri besar Sanusi Nor from PN since May 2020. Shaiful, who is also the Kedah Umno information chief, believed Kedah MIC's decision was driven by the desire to secure more seats and safeguard its political survival, after feeling sidelined in the unity government. 'Kedah BN has never feared changes in the political landscape, especially when it involves parting ways with any component party. 'For us, losing partners who no longer share our direction is not a loss; it is actually an opportunity for the state chapter to move faster and with greater focus, without the burden of appeasing those who are no longer with us,' he said. 'Stop with the posturing' Umno Supreme Council member Puad Zarkashi described Kedah MIC's motion to work with PN as 'mere posturing' as it lacked the courage to table a motion to leave BN altogether. 'Yes, joining PN might mean contesting more seats, but what's the point of contesting many seats if you lose them all?' he said in a Facebook post. He cited the case of Gerakan president Dominic Lau contesting the Bayan Lepas state seat in the 2023 election and losing because he did not have the backing of PAS members. In comparison, Puad said, MCA president Wee Ka Siong contested the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat in the 15th general election and, with Umno's backing, won the Malay-majority seat with a larger majority than in the previous nationwide polls. 'MIC deputy president M Saravanan contested in Tapah, a Malay-majority seat (and won). But MIC's president wasn't as fortunate; he contested in Sungai Siput, MIC's former stronghold, not Umno's. With only 35% Malay voters there, Vigneswaran lost,' he said.
New Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Kedah Umno dismayed over sorry state of Tanjung Dawai beach
KUALA MUDA: Kedah Umno has voiced disappointment over the deteriorating condition of Tanjung Dawai beach, describing it as an eyesore that undermines efforts to promote the state as a tourism destination. Its information chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin said the beach was now strewn with marine debris, casting doubt over the effectiveness of the Visit Kedah Year 2025 campaign. "What is the point of launching a tourism campaign if iconic destinations like Tanjung Dawai are left in such a polluted state?" he said in a statement today. He said Tanjung Dawai beach was not only known for its tourism appeal, but also served as a lifeline for local communities, including fishermen, small traders and homestay operators, who were now affected by the worsening waste problem. Shaiful took aim at Merbok member of parliament Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan and Tanjung Dawai assemblyman Hanif Ghazali, claiming that they appeared indifferent to the state's tourism agenda. "Where are they when it comes to defending the dignity of their own constituency? Have they made any effort to push for urgent action from the local authorities and the state government?" he said. Commenting further, Shaiful urged the state government and relevant agencies not to rely solely on catchy tourism slogans while failing to address basic issues such as environmental cleanliness and lack of tourist infrastructure. "The people demand answers and immediate action," he said. The New Straits Times had contacted both Nazri and Hanif but yet to receive a response. Once known for its white sands, Tanjung Dawai beach now saw fewer visitors. Despite twice-weekly clean-ups by the Sungai Petani Municipal Council since July last year, rubbish and debris continue to wash ashore and pollute the beach. Non-governmental organisations, government bodies and student volunteers had pitched in to clean up the area, but their efforts were short-lived. Some locals had suggested installing garbage traps or a sea wall, but these might pose financial and other environmental challenges.
