Kedah Umno Youth lauds govt decision to axe system
ALOR STAR: Kedah Umno Youth yesterday lauded the government’s decision to cancel the implementation of the Integrated Manasik Monitoring System (Imams) following objections from many quarters and stakeholders.
Its chief, Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin, said the decision, which also drew support from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, was the right thing to do.
Shaiful said Kedah Umno Youth fully supported Najib’s stand as Imams would only burden the people and its implementation appeared to be carried out “in great haste and in an irrational manner”.
“This showed that the prime minister has always prioritised and is responsive to the welfare of the people, who are already being burdened by the increasing cost of living and other factors,” he said yesterday.
Kedah Umno Youth, he said, hoped the authorities would prioritise the interest and sensitivity of the people before implementing such system.
“For Kedah Umno Youth, this is not the right time to burden the people.
“Any initiative should be evaluated from a wider perspective.
“To use as an excuse that this initiative will purportedly improve government coffers does not justify the additional burden imposed on umrah pilgrims.
“The (hostile) reaction by the people towards the implementation is a reflection that the plan was carried out carelessly.”
Shaiful said the wing believed that the initiative reflected the weaknesses on the Tourism and Culture Ministry’s part in practising due diligence before putting the system in place.
As such, he said the incident should not recur.
“We object to any move that will burden the people through a service that is vague and meant to gain quick profit.
“Should monitoring be the main issue, the move to introduce an ‘Umrah Special Licence’ to tour companies offering umrah packages should been adequate.
“However, any move to improve the backend system should be reviewed so that it will not burden pilgrims.”