N Surendran says right-wing elements within Umno are still attacking Najib despite him giving in to pressure to retain the Sedition Act.
FMT
KUALA LUMPUR: After years of reassuring the people that the draconian Sedition Act would be repealed, Prime Minister Najib Razak instead dragged the country down into “party authoritarianism” when he caved in to pressure from right-wing elements within his party and backtracked on his word.
So said MP for Padang Serai, N Surendran, who added that even that move has backfired for Najib since his critics have intensified their attacks against him and his brand of leadership.
In a statement, Surendran said, “Najib foolishly believed he could appease right wing elements in Umno, including Mahathir, by announcing the retention of the Sedition Act.
“But they have since only increased their attacks upon him.”
Lamenting that Najib’s move also went against “all democratic principles”, Surendran explained, “..the decision to retain the Sedition Act was not announced by Najib as Prime Minister, but by Najib as President of Umno at the Umno general assembly.”
Asking if Malaysia had now entered an “era of party rule”, Surendran also asked, “Is Umno running the cabinet and government?”
He described Najib’s U-turn as an “act of betrayal”, saying it was only a short-term strategy to “win over the public in the lengthy run-up to the 13th General election”.
Saying the move was a poor judgement call because it had shaken the public’s confidence in their leader, he said it would be long remembered and not easily forgiven by the people.
Surendran nevertheless said Najib could still make things right come March this year.
He said, “Najib still has an opportunity to redeem himself.
“He must stand up to pressure from right-wing elements from within Umno, and bring in a bill to repeal the Sedition Act during the March session of Parliament.
“He and the BN must avail themselves of this opportunity to do the right thing, or face the wrath of the voters and the harsh judgment of history.”
KUALA LUMPUR: After years of reassuring the people that the draconian Sedition Act would be repealed, Prime Minister Najib Razak instead dragged the country down into “party authoritarianism” when he caved in to pressure from right-wing elements within his party and backtracked on his word.
So said MP for Padang Serai, N Surendran, who added that even that move has backfired for Najib since his critics have intensified their attacks against him and his brand of leadership.
In a statement, Surendran said, “Najib foolishly believed he could appease right wing elements in Umno, including Mahathir, by announcing the retention of the Sedition Act.
“But they have since only increased their attacks upon him.”
Lamenting that Najib’s move also went against “all democratic principles”, Surendran explained, “..the decision to retain the Sedition Act was not announced by Najib as Prime Minister, but by Najib as President of Umno at the Umno general assembly.”
Asking if Malaysia had now entered an “era of party rule”, Surendran also asked, “Is Umno running the cabinet and government?”
He described Najib’s U-turn as an “act of betrayal”, saying it was only a short-term strategy to “win over the public in the lengthy run-up to the 13th General election”.
Saying the move was a poor judgement call because it had shaken the public’s confidence in their leader, he said it would be long remembered and not easily forgiven by the people.
Surendran nevertheless said Najib could still make things right come March this year.
He said, “Najib still has an opportunity to redeem himself.
“He must stand up to pressure from right-wing elements from within Umno, and bring in a bill to repeal the Sedition Act during the March session of Parliament.
“He and the BN must avail themselves of this opportunity to do the right thing, or face the wrath of the voters and the harsh judgment of history.”
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