GURUN, July 16 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged leaders of parties in the Unity Government not to adopt a defensive stance against attacks by their opponents in the upcoming State Election (PRN) campaigns in six states. He stated that Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), especially UMNO, should not back down but instead fight back fiercely against their adversaries. “In the past, their (Perikatan Nasional) propaganda was ‘clean,’ and we didn’t respond much. It turns out that it has taken root in the minds of some of our young people, and it is indeed ‘clean.’
“I was the Finance Minister, I saw the files. When I was the Opposition Leader, I launched strong attacks, but we didn’t realize the extent of what they were doing, with illegal gambling. People say it’s normal, but when PN rose to 22 seats with PAS and Bersatu, that’s when we acted. “During our time, me and Datuk Zahid (Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), one of our initial steps was to reduce it back to eight…this is not a small matter,” he said during a speech at the Unity Outreach Program and the Launch of the Unity Machinery in Kedah at Padang Awam Guar Chempedak on Saturday night.
Anwar said that during the eight months of governing the country, the Unity Government has addressed and is currently addressing numerous issues in various sectors, including agriculture and transportation. He added that during Cabinet meetings, there has never been any disagreement on matters concerning the dignity of Malays and Islam, despite some parties questioning it. “The constitutional principles agreed upon by the Unity Government have never been compromised. This is just talk from the outside that the leaders of the Unity Government will betray the trust of the nation.
“Give me one example where we betrayed Islam, give me one example where we neglected the fate of the Malays. There is none. What exists are malicious propaganda and slander. I urge the people of Kedah to rise up and reject these lies, reject the betrayal,” he said. Also present were Amanah President Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, PH Secretary-General Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, and several other leaders of parties in the Unity Government.
