KUCHING, Oct 5: Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing today laughs off claims that he and fellow party member, Baram MP Anyie Ngau have switched camp to join Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to form the new federal government.
At best, he described such news as fake and nonsensical speculation.
“It is extremely laughable to see the names of two PDP MPs including myself in Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s dubious list swirling on social media of parliamentarians who purportedly support his intention to take over the government.
“Obviously, I totally refute this as fake news and mere rumours. In fact, much of the related information published on those portals are vague and speculative. With nothing confirmed, I urge the people not to fall prey to nonsensical speculation,” Tiong said in a statement issued here today.
Tiong, who is also Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the People’s Republic of China, asserted that Anwar’s latest stunt claiming that he has got the support of MPs to take over the government is one more example why these opposition leaders must stop their desperate drama to seize power again and again, instead of entangling the rakyat in their attempt to form yet another new government.
“The country is facing another wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and a resulting economic downturn. We need to work together and get back on course to economic development and growth so the people’s lives can return to normalcy,” he stressed.
He also said that he was perplexed as to how his name and Anyie’s had been mentioned in the speculation which has surfaced recently.
“Many friends of mine in Sarawak have received this list being circulated on WhatsApp and I am perplexed as to how mine and Anyi Ngau’s name can be on the list. It certainly made us really famous and fuelled unnecessary speculation. Why is Anwar’s camp so interested in using our names without permission?
“We might be only a minor component partner but we have integrity and principles. Unlike some parties who will go along with whomever the PM-elect is,” Tiong asserted.
Tiong pointed out that many of the ousted Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders who have been attacking the Perikatan Nasional (PN) as a ‘backdoor government’ seemed to be the same people who were planning a real backdoor takeover of the government.
“In the final analysis, it was the PH’s own collapse that made it necessary to bring on PN. And now, some people continue to recruit troops to fulfil their own dream of becoming PM, even through the dastard move of the so-called “backdoor government”.
“I must reiterate that all politicians must put the people and country first as their priorities. They immediately stop all actions that can disrupt the foundations of the nation, instead devote all resources and efforts towards battling the coronavirus and put us back on economic revival. We have to rebuild stable political and economic platforms for the people, so they may live and work in peace,” he asserted.
Tiong observed that politics in the country over the past decade has been wholly mutated and regressing.
“The people are painfully reminded day in and day out that politics have been a battlefield only for individuals to seize power. Waves of political farce have made our country a laughing stock internationally. The people are disillusioned and indifferent to politics, so much so that all they could do is laugh at Anwar’s announcement,” he said.
The Bintulu MP stressed that during the PH regime, the country’s reputation in the international community had been jeopardised.
“Now it is up to us to review these past mistakes, repair our credibility and reputation as an Asian Tiger and ensure that this housecat can recover and compete once more in the global economy.
“The true way to govern a nation is to enrich the people. I sincerely hope that all politicians, including those of the opposition, can work together to support Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at our vulnerable moment to revitalise our nation.
“Let’s practise good revival measures in this difficult time of the pandemic and bring us to economic recovery as soon as possible,” added Tiong, who is also the chairman of Malaysia China Business Council.-DayakDaily
