Mp Disputes Leiking S Claim That Harapan Is Toothless

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Kota Kinabalu MP Chan Foong Hin has disputed a claim by a fellow Sabahan lawmaker that the Pakatan Harapan leadership was subdued by the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the government and opposition.
The DAP parliamentarian expressed confusion over Penampang MP Darell Leiking's views that racial and religious issues were being played up due to the coalition's signing of the deal.  
"I am perplexed at Leiking for blaming Harapan for signing the MOU with the federal government which according to him has resulted in racial and religious issues being played up.
"Leiking should be aware that with the temporary ceasefire, all Harapan MPs will not destabilise Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob's government so that it could function without the fear of imminent collapse.
"This is very important as Malaysia had unnecessarily gone through a tumultuous period with the Covid-19 pandemic causing unprecedented damage to the economy," Chan (above) said in a statement today.
Threat of court cluster 
Chan added that Leiking should also be aware of the danger posed by the "court cluster" of Umno VIPs facing criminal charges.
"They threatened the government to let themselves off the hook leading to an unstable government incapable of recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
"With a solid 92 MPs, Harapan put a check on the court cluster of about 10 MPs but they still have access to the levers of power through their tentacles," he said, adding that it is wrong to force an early general election when the country is still deep in the woods with Covid-19. 
Penampang MP Darell LeikingIn making the claim yesterday, Warisan's Leiking said that racial and religious issues can be resolved under Sabahan leadership because their leaders know not to play up such issues and have demonstrated this in the state.
No compromise on discrimination 
Chan wished to put on record that Harapan, especially DAP, never compromised on any issues relating to discriminatory practices on grounds of religion or race.
"For example, the federal government through Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi tried to arm-twist the maker of Timah whiskey into changing its name and we had vigorously opposed this.
"DAP MPs had also slammed the restriction of the sale of alcohol by Kuala Lumpur City Hall at Chinese traditional medicine halls and sundry shops. We had recently protested the removal of the Chinese names of Chinese primary schools on the school's signboard in Pahang as well," he said.
Chan added that Leiking must understand that the MOU is not to make Umno any less racist, nor meant to make PAS less conservative and radically religious. 
"With or without the MOU, they will still be like that.
"The main reason for Harapan's signing of the MOU is to push for some important reform agendas as compromised by both parties so that the prime minister need not be forced to resign in the event of losing majority in Parliament," he explained.
Tearing up the MOU at this stage, he said, would only further destabilise the already fragmented political scene, giving the upper hand to Umno.
Chan claimed that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi continues to push the prime minister to dissolve Parliament for early elections without care for the health and safety of the people as well as voter turnout which will likely be low. 
Constitutional amendments
Chan reminded Leiking that if it was not for the MOU, we may not be seeing a constitutional amendment that is similar to that brought by the Harapan-Warisan federal government, namely to restore Article 1(2) of the Federal Constitution to the wordings as per the 1963 version.
"Furthermore with the MOU, an anti-hopping law is also in the pipeline. Malaysia and Sabah’s democracy had suffered most because of unethical hopping and defection of elected representatives. 
"This is the only window to get both sides to agree upon an anti-hopping law as we are really in need to instal stability for politics and in the end, honouring the people’s mandate.
"Warisan is also a victim of party hopping with the recent defections of Mohamaddin Ketapi to PPBM, and others," he said. 
Upholding freedom of religion 
While respecting Warisan's position to not participate in the MOU, Chan pointed out that it was unfair for the Sabah-based party to take advantage of the situation and twist it to say that Harapan MPs have been subdued.
"(This is) certainly not the case as we continue to uphold the freedom of religion and defend the practice of religions in peace," he added.
The DAP lawmaker urged and welcomed Warisan to join Harapan to ensure opposition unity.
"It is not time yet to tear apart the MOU, and there is still time for Warisan's input. 
"With Warisan in the loop, we can outnumber and outvoice the racists and religious extremists and ensure Malaysia sails out of the pandemic to only then have an election at the end of Parliament's five-year term," he said. - Mkini

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