Latest news with #SheratonMove
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Liew: PN must offer vision, not just angry noise
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia needs an opposition that offers solutions, not just protests, Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said following a rally demanding Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's resignation. He made the remarks in a Facebook post after the July 26 gathering at Dataran Merdeka, which he said reflected more anger than direction. "Their leaders must understand that being an opposition that only releases anger to manipulate emotions, especially among Malays, will take the country nowhere," he wrote. "Perikatan Nasional (PN) could be a constructive opposition if it chooses to be. This means working with the unity government through parliamentary processes to serve the people." Liew said the rally at Dataran Merdeka, led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin of Bersatu, trained its criticisms on Anwar's leadership. Despite rallying Pas's core base, it failed to draw support the wider public, he said. Liew said that PN, which holds nearly one-third of the seats in Dewan Rakyat, has the opportunity to play a meaningful role in a healthy democracy — if it chooses to move beyond populist anger. He pointed to the aftermath of the 2020 Sheraton Move as an example of responsible political conduct. Liew said in the wake of the political crisis, DAP's Anthony Loke persuaded party colleagues to work toward stability through bipartisan cooperation with Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's administration, leading to a memorandum of understanding that ensured continuity in government policies. In contrast, he said that PN remains divided and without clear direction. Liew said Bersatu continues to face internal leadership struggles, while Pas appears locked in a rigid ideological stance. Without a coherent vision or practical policy proposals, PN risks alienating broader segments of the electorate. "With no constructive proposals or coherent vision, PN will struggle to appeal beyond its base," he said. "Democracy in Malaysia deserves a better opposition — one that puts the country first," Liew added.
Free Malaysia Today
6 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
We didn't meet to back your protest, NGOs tell Hamzah
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin had claimed that several NGOs, including Bersih, had approached him expressing unhappiness with the current government. PETALING JAYA : Six NGOS have rejected the basis of the anti-Anwar Ibrahim rally set for tomorrow, after opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin used their names yesterday to justify the protest. Bersih, C4 Center, Ideas, Projek Sama, Pusat Komas, and Transparency International Malaysia said further political instability will kill off the institutional reforms they are calling for. 'Because no party wins forever, institutional reform benefits all parties in the long run and should be supported by all,' they said in a joint statement. 'On this basis, we reject any mid-term change of government through the back door, like the Sheraton Move that threw the country's politics into disarray in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. 'Even if there is a change of government, the new administration may lack the clarity or commitment to implement institutional reform, or may be too fragile to undertake any meaningful change. 'We want to see the implementation of institutional reforms that will provide a level playing field for all parties in the 16th general election.' Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported Hamzah as claiming at a press conference that several NGOs had approached him expressing unhappiness with the current government. 'They are unhappy, and when they are not happy, then there is a motivation to 'turun' (join) the rally this Saturday. 'Many will be joining the rally, so do not be mad at us. The rakyat want to protest because many problems have been accumulating,' the Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman said. However, the NGOs said their meeting with Hamzah on July 1 had nothing to do with any political rally, and that they only sought to present their proposals on institutional reform and not to endorse any political campaign. They urged the opposition to play its role as 'effective competition' with the government to push for more institutional reforms. '(Reforms) require not only the determination of the Madani government, but also effective competition from the opposition, including the four states under PN, in terms of ideas and commitment, to the fullest extent of their power. 'It is only when all parties are racing to offer reforms can reform be driven and steered effectively,' they said.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Six NGOs reject claim they back Opposition's anti-Anwar rally
KUALA LUMPUR: Six civil society organisations have distanced themselves from tomorrow's planned "Turun Anwar" protest, saying a recent meeting with Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin was unrelated to any political rally. In a joint statement today, Bersih, the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS), Projek Sama, Pusat Komas, and Transparency International Malaysia clarified that their meeting with Hamzah on July 1 was solely to discuss institutional reforms. They said the engagement was part of their regular advocacy efforts and should not be interpreted as support for any political movement. "On this basis, we reject any mid-term change of government through the back door, such as the Sheraton Move that threw the country's politics into disarray in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. "Even if there is a change of government, the new administration may lack clarity or commitment to implement institutional reforms, or may be too fragile to undertake any meaningful change," they said in the joint statement. The organisations issued the statement to clarify concerns over their meeting with the Opposition leader, which was cited during a recent press conference in Parliament as implied support for tomorrow's protest. While affirming their support for the right to peaceful assembly, the groups stressed that calls for reform would be meaningless without improvements to political stability and the broader political system. "We firmly believe the country needs comprehensive, strong, and meaningful institutional reforms for society to move forward with a more just and improved political system." They added that all parties — both in government and in the opposition — must uphold a genuine reform agenda. They also called on the opposition to fulfil its responsibility as a check-and-balance force in Parliament. "The opposition is duty-bound to the rakyat to serve as a check and balance for the betterment of the nation. "Malaysia has so much to offer internationally, and this can only happen if we uphold the values of human rights, good governance, and accountability." They reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing institutional reform and said they would continue engaging with all political parties on the matter. "Our position is crucial as a check-and-balance mechanism for the reform agenda of any political coalition."
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
You can't have proper reform if there is political instability, civil society groups tell Opposition
IPOH: Political instability will kill off any chance of comprehensive institutional reform, say six civil society organisations (CSOs). Commenting on Opposition leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin's recent claim that the Himpunan Turun Anwar rally on Saturday (July 26) had the backing of top CSOs, they said their meeting with him on July 1 was not connected to the planned gathering in any way. In a joint statement on Friday (July 25), Bersih, C4 Center, Ideas, Projek Sama, Pusat Komas and Transparency International Malaysia said they met the Larut MP and other parliamentarians to discuss critical matters regarding institutional reform, which they felt should be taken up by Perikatan Nasional as the main Opposition. The CSOs said comprehensive, robust reform can only come about with the support of all parties, whether they are in the government or the Opposition. "This is based on our national political experience and the lessons learned since the change of government in 2018, the Sheraton Move, multiple changes of prime minister, and the memorandum of understanding between (Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's administration) and Pakatan Harapan," the statement read. "We want to see more institutional reform beyond what has been achieved so far by the Madani government. "This requires not only the determination of the government, but also effective (action by) the Opposition, including the four states under Perikatan, in terms of ideas and commitment," it added. The CSOs said institutional reform would benefit all parties in the long run, which was why it should be given unanimous support. "On this basis, we reject any mid-term change of government like the Sheraton Move that threw the country's politics into disarray during the Covid-19 pandemic. "Even if there is a change of government, the new administration may lack the clarity or commitment to implement institutional reform, or may be too fragile to undertake any meaningful change. "It is only when all parties are racing towards reform that the movement can be driven and steered effectively," it added. The CSOs believed that institutional reform is a safeguard for the people to hold those in power accountable, preventing the abuse of power and authority for political or personal gain. "Towards this end, we have engaged, discussed and held forums with MPs across political lines to push for the implementation of institutional reform under the Madani government. " We want to see the implementation of institutional reforms that will provide a level playing field for all parties in the 16th General Election," they added. They pointed out that the Opposition is duty-bound to the people to provide checks and balances for the benefit of the country. "Malaysia has so much to offer internationally, and this can only happen if we uphold the values of human rights, good governance and accountability. "We will continue to remain on this path of demanding institutional reform, serving as an important bloc representing the people's demands," they added.
Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Six top NGOs reject Hamzah's claim they back tomorrow's ‘Turun Anwar' rally
KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 — Six civil society organisations today rejected Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin's bid to use a meeting with them to help justify the 'Turun Anwar' protest tomorrow. In a joint statement, Bersih, C4 Center, Ideas, Projek Sama, Pusat Komas and Transparency International Malaysia said their meeting with Hamzah on July 1 had nothing to do with any political rally. They said they had attended the meeting to present proposals on institutional reform and not to endorse any political campaign. 'We reject any mid-term change of government through the back door, like the Sheraton Move that threw the country's politics into disarray,' the said in the joint statement. The organisations expressed concern that their meeting was cited by Hamzah during a press conference in Parliament yesterday to indicate support for tomorrow's protest. They stressed that institutional reform must not be hijacked for political purposes or used to create instability. While affirming the right to assemble, they warned that lasting reforms would not be possible without political stability. The statement pointed out that all parties — either in government or opposition — stood to benefit from meaningful and long-term reform. They said any administration that gains power through undemocratic means would lack the clarity or strength to implement reforms. The groups then urged the Opposition to play a constructive role as a check and balance, rather than destabilise the political system. 'Opposition also is duty bound to the rakyat as check and balance for the betterment of the nation,' they said. They reaffirmed their commitment to pushing for reforms and pledged to continue engaging all political parties on the issue.
