PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan is displaying hypocrisy and arrogance in calling for police investigations against Perikatan Nasional’s candidate for the Padang Serai election, Datuk Azman Nasrudin (pic), says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Its Shah Alam deputy chief Afif Bahardin said Pakatan’s threat to take police action against Azman for allegedly labelling the current government as “kerajaan zina” (adulterous government) went against Pakatan’s promise to defend freedom of speech.
"Demanding that police investigate Azman is a direct contravention of Pakatan’s claims to champion democracy. There are also no criminal elements in what Azman had said," Afif said in a statement on Tuesday (Nov 29).
He added Azman's statement was a fair comment given that it was political criticism of the new Barisan Nasional and Pakatan coalition unity government.
"In stark contrast, Perikatan when in power, did not resort to police action against Pakatan politicians who repeatedly insulted the then government by branding it as a backdoor government of 'kerajaan gagal' as well as many other insulting terms.
"Furthermore, Azman is a candidate in an ongoing parliamentary election (Padang Serai) and Fahmi has no business interfering in the electoral process by threatening police action against Perikatan’s candidate."
Afif also demanded for both Pakatan and its communications director Fahmi Fadzil to withdraw the threat (to invoke police powers) against Azman, and urged the police not to act in accordance with Pakatan’s demands.
Earlier, Bernama reported that Azman had given his statement to the police over his remarks.
Azman said he had his statement recorded at the Kulim Hi-Tech police station in Kulim at midnight on Monday (Nov 28) night.
"...I (admit) that I was a bit harsh that night. (But) I was referring to Umno violating its resolution, which has led to disappointment among the party’s grassroots members.
"This is about principles, the issue of mixed or unity government is another story. Perikatan also accepts the decision of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he said when met during the election campaign in Kampung Nesa on Tuesday (Nov 29).
