SHAHRIZAT: PAKATAN HAS DEARTH OF CANDIDATES
Don’t be duped by opposition’s political games, she says
PAKATAN Harapan is suffering from a dearth of candidates for the prime minister’s post, said Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil yesterday. She said this was proven by the opposition pact’s decision to name Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister should it win the election.
“Throughout Dr Mahathir’s 22 years in office as prime minister under Barisan Nasional, opposition leaders, especially those from DAP and PKR, had disparaged and insulted his leadership on an almost daily basis. They accused Dr Mahathir of destroying democratic institutions and oppressing Malaysians.
“Today, it is as though Pakatan Harapan has forgotten those accusations, hatred and insults, because it is now willing to name him (as the prime ministerial candidate),” she said after chairing a Wanita Barisan Nasional meeting yesterday.
Shahrizat, who is also Wanita BN chief, said Pakatan Harapan intended to win the 14th General Election by manipulating people’s thoughts and emotions.
She urged Malaysians, especially the youth, to not to be duped by its political games, which she said were centred around the personal interest of its leaders.
“It is obvious that national development and people issues are not topmost in Pakatan Harapan’s agenda. This is unlike BN, which is consistent in ensuring that the country and its people are stable, peaceful and prosperous.”
Pakatan Harapan named Dr Mahathir its candidate for prime minister at its convention on Sunday.
The decision sparked criticism from various quarters, including Sangeet Kaur Deo, daughter of the late Karpal Singh.
Sangeet, who is Wanita DAP international secretary, said the opposition’s failure to choose someone else showed that it lacked a long-term strategy.
Shahrizat said the Wanita BN meeting discussed several issues, including preparations for the polls, which must be held by Aug 24.
She said the Wanita BN leadership was prepared to work with BN component parties to ensure victory for the ruling coalition.