It is noted with deep regret that the Publicity Chief of PPBM, Datuk Kamaruddin Mohd Noor has said that PPBM and its President, Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin, is in support of Hadi’s Private Members Bill if the matter is brought up to vote in Parliament.
PPBM Youth Chief, Syed Saddiq was also reported of saying that he does not believe that if PPBM decides to support RUU355 would lead to friction between its allies in Pakatan Harapan.
The statement by Kamaruddin Mohd Noor is contradicting with the stance and previous statements by PPBM Chairman, Tun Dr Mahathir, where the latter has said he does not agree Hadi’s Private Members Bill, and further cited that UMNO has supported PAS on this issue because “they (UMNO) need PAS’ support.”
We do not know whether Kamaruddin Mohd Noor’s statement represents the actual stance of PPBM on this issue. However, it is important for PPBM to reckon the fact that Hadi’s Private Members Bill is a joint attempt by Najib and Hadi Awang to save Najib and keep UMNO in power in the next election.
Barisan Nasional-UMNO is in its most critical period, having been haunted by the 1MDB mega scandal and its unpopular economic policies such as GST and continuous fuel hike. In fact, 60 out of 133 seats won by Barisan Nasional were won with less than 55% of votes in PRU13, and a slight swing of votes will cost BN-UMNO power in the next election.
UMNO has to rely on PAS and Hadi Awang to be its saviour. UMNO has started its plan in 2014 by offering to work hand in hand with PAS for the setting up of a joint technical committee on the implementation of Islamic Criminal Laws in 2014. This has led to the break within PAS and the demise of Pakatan Rakyat in 2015, an end result that UMNO wants to see.
Hadi has since demoted himself from a staunched opposition leader to an “advisor” to UMNO and Najib. Hadi’s Private Members Bill had been used by Najib to create cracks amongst the opposition-pact, and at the same time demonising DAP as “anti-Malay” and “anti-Islam” in raising objection against the unconstitutional RUU355.
Pakatan Harapan-PPBM will have to face the well coordinated BN-UMNO-PAS campaign in the next General Election. PPBM thus needs to make its stance clear. There is no way of supporting RUU355 and letting themselves fall into the UMNO-PAS’ trap if PPBM is committed and clear in its fight against UMNO.
Hadi is saving UMNO and Najib. Lets not PPBM help Hadi to save UMNO and Najib.