Mahathir ‘no’ to Moorthy’s removal
(FMT) – Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today remained unperturbed over calls for P Waytha Moorthy to be removed as a minister,
He said anyone could voice out their concerns but, ultimately, only he could decide on Cabinet posts.
“People can express their opinions. It is up to me to decide,” he said after speaking at the inaugural “Dr Mahathir Mohamad Leadership Series” event organised by the Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) at Hotel Istana.
Mahathir also said that he “felt ok” with Waytha’s performance as the minister in charge of national unity and social wellbeing in the Prime Minister’s Department.
Earlier, it was reported that PPBM Youth Wing, Armada, had submitted a memorandum to Mahathir calling for the removal of Waytha as a minister.
Armada said Waytha had failed to apologise over a 10-year-old video of him criticising alleged discrimination against the Indian community.
Armada also claimed Waytha had failed to effectively handle the inter-racial tensions that resulted from the relocation of the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in USJ25, Subang Jaya, last month.
The Hindraf leader was criticised for allegedly blaming police for a less than efficient response when a group entered the temple early on Nov 26 and started beating up people in an apparent attempt to ask them to vacate the place.
This led to a mob torching more than 20 vehicles around the temple and injuring people. The trouble continued the next night and a fireman, Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim, 24, was assaulted.
Merely 12 hours after the National Heart Institute announced Adib’s death due to his injuries on Dec 17, the hashtag #justice4Adib had been tweeted and retweeted 32,000 times.
Hashtags targeting Waytha and Selangor exco V Ganabatirau, whose earlier comments on the temple violence also drew condemnation, have also been making the rounds.
Election promises
Mahathir also dismissed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s recent warning to PPBM that accepting former Umno members may lead to a takeover in the party.
“No way. They cannot hold any office until the next election,” Mahathir, who is PPBM chairman, said.
Earlier, in his keynote address, Mahathir said the government has to deliver on its election promises.
“When there is failure to earn the trust of the people, even the strongest government will fall. And the present government is very aware of this.
“A government can only continue to be given the power if it is trustworthy. If we want to be trusted, we must deliver on our promises.”
He took note that sometimes it may be difficult to deliver on some of the promises but stressed that the government must show that it is at least doing its best.
Earlier today, former PKR Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, in a statement, reminded the Pakatan Harapan coalition to go back to fulfilling its election promises instead of coming up with excuses on why it could not do so as this might lead to losing the people’s support altogether.
