Pakatan must fulfil election pledges, says Azmin

Pakatan Harapan’s defeat in Semenyih is a wake-up call and the ruling coalition should act immediately to fulfil promises made to the people, says Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The Economics Affairs Minister said the result of the by-election was a clear signal from the people.

“The result was a demand that the Pakatan government immediately resolve the problems of the people without blaming any party.

“We must act in a collective manner to fulfil the reform and development agenda for the people,” Azmin said in a statement yesterday.

The PKR deputy president said Pakatan must step up efforts to implement changes.

“Pakatan must be brave and not hesitant in fulfilling its promises, especially to the Malay and bumiputra communities which is an integral part of the national agenda.

“We must do so without feeling apologetic or being fearful of criticism from others,” he said, adding that the government would take immediate measures to ease the economic hardship of the people.

Azmin said the Economic Action Council, of which he is a member, would act to reduce the cost of living, improve wages, alleviate poverty and increase home ownership among the people.

In George Town, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said Pakatan accepted the results as the right and voice of the people in selecting their representative.

“I accept the result from the people. The expectation is Barisan Nasional is seen going to fulfil their promises made during the by-election.

“For Pakatan, we will continue to unite the people,” he after launching the “I Love Penang Run 2019” yesterday.

In Ipoh, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said Pakatan would have to work harder to retain the people’s support.

He said the Semenyih defeat should not lead to finger pointing.

“This is not the time to blame anyone, we all need to do self-reflection as all had roles to play. We need to improve, including myself, Armada (youth wing of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) and Harapan Youth.

“I think it’s time to get back to the drawing board,” Syed Saddiq told reporters after delivering a keynote address on the final day of the Esports Professional Industry Conference 2019.

In Kuching, former Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) deputy publicity chief Datuk Peter Minos said the defeat showed that Pakatan had lost its popularity and that there was something “very wrong” in the coalition.

“It is actually expected because PH, after making so many promises in the last general election, turned out to be a party using and relying on lies.

“They have gone too far in not fulfilling their promises and so the voters got infuriated and voted against them, and to me Pakatan is a failing party, if not already having failed,” he added.