Photo: Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Fahmi Fadzil has seemingly called out PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan for belittling a study on Kuala Lumpur mayoral polls by the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM).
In a post-Cabinet briefing here on Friday (Feb 6), the government spokesman said, without naming Takiyuddin, that "the secretary-general of a party with lorry-loads of prime ministerial candidates" should not look down on IIUM's capability for research.
Fahmi, who is also Communications Minister, had been asked if today's Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, discussed the proposal for the Kuala Lumpur mayoral polls.
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"There was a briefing by the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Hannah Yeoh, who informed the Cabinet that the study is currently being conducted by IIUM, and that there is nothing yet that can be presented to the Cabinet for discussion," Fahmi added.
He continued: "I am disappointed that certain parties are questioning the capability of the university to conduct this study.
"For me, that is not a good attitude from this politician, who is the secretary-general of a party.
"They should view IIUM as an educational institution capable of conducting research.
"It is very irresponsible and looks down on a very important institution that has produced many leaders – not only in our country, but also leaders in other countries.
"Don’t look down on our institutions of higher learning, especially IIUM," he said.
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Opposition chief whip Takiyuddin had said at a press conference in Parliament on Thursday (Feb 5) that the study does not represent the reality on the ground.
He said he believed that "overall", Malays remain resistant to the idea of opening up the mayoral post for contest, although he did not provide data to substantiate his claim.
Takiyuddin also questioned the decision to enlist IIUM for the survey, saying that there were other public universities such as Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia with related expertise.
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"That is just one study. There may be different studies that would have different outcomes. But overall, we don’t have to be hypocrites... if we ask the majority of Malays, they will say they don’t want mayoral elections," the Kota Baru MP asserted.
Takiyuddin highlighted excerpts from parliamentary debates showing opposition to local council elections by Malay lawmakers during the enactment of the Federal Capital Act 1960.
Politicians and stakeholders have been divided over the proposal to hold an election for the Kuala Lumpur mayor’s post.
