Cheap politics must stop, says Johor Perikatan leader

JOHOR BARU: Switching sides to support the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim-led Madani government will not ensure grand projects for the constituencies, says a Johor Perikatan Nasional man.

State Perikatan deputy chairman Mohd Solihan Badri said the actions of four MPs who threw their support behind Anwar in the course of a month are unhealthy for the country’s democracy.

“The cheap politics practiced by both sides need to stop because an MP’s job should not be limited to just small projects and helping the needy in their constituency,” said Mohd Solihan.

“Their job scope is much wider including economic policies, education as well as the future of Islam and the socio-economy of the Malays.

“MPs should also be aware about the state developments to provide job opportunities, housing and take care of other social issues,” he added in a statement on Thursday (Nov 9).

Mohd Solihan urged elected representatives not to be easily swayed by small issues that could be managed by the government agencies and use such issues as an excuse to throw their support behind the Prime Minister.

“Johor Perikatan is not confident that by voicing support for the Prime Minister, the constituency will have grand projects that will solve all their issues.

“Even in the constituencies led by the government, there are people complaining about the lack of infrastructure development, flood issues, illegal logging, pollution and crime.

“Furthermore, there is the issue of the rising cost of living and drop in the ringgit value,” he added, urging the government to be fair in its allocations to the elected representatives from both sides of the political divide.

On Wednesday (Nov 8), Jeli MP Zahari Kechik, who is from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, broke ranks to declare his support for Anwar.

He was the fourth Bersatu elected representative to do so in the course of less than a month.

Zahari said the shift in his support from the Perikatan-led Opposition to the Madani government was for the sake of development and progress of his Parliamentary constituency.

He said that his support for Anwar will remain until the next general election and that his shift of allegiance was not made under any duress or pressure from anyone.

On Tuesday (Nov 7), Gua Musang MP Mohd Azizi Abu Naim was the third MP from Bersatu to declare his support for the unity government led by Anwar.

The Perikatan leader from Kelantan said his decision came after studying and listening to Anwar’s Budget 2024 presentation which was aimed at facilitating economic recovery and alleviating financial burdens for the people.

On Oct 12, Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid had also declared their support for Anwar, saying he did so in order to gain an extra allocation for his constituency.

Soon after, Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman followed suit.