KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has reminded the coalition against employing its defeat at the Tanjung Piai by-election as a ploy to call for change in leadership.
In making the call following several PH leaders’ demands for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to step down as prime minister in the wake of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) landslide win in the parliamentary seat, Azmin said such attacks would only weaken the coalition.
“The results of the Tanjung Piai by-election is a resounding wake-up call by the rakyat to PH. However, this is not the time for members and leaders of PH to take potshots at each other or take advantage of the situation to challenge the coalition’s leadership.
“Any attacks on the leadership will only continue to weaken PH and its effectiveness in governing the country. This is the time to unite our strengths and face this new reality together. The decision was a challenge presented to each member and leader of PH to prove that we can continue to work together as a team.”
Azmin pointed out that the defeat should only spur the ruling party’s efforts to understand the people’s desire and needs, apart from delivering its responsibility as per mandated in the last general election.
“We need to show to the people that the government remains committed to the mandate given by the people and will continue to fight for the rakyat’s interests so that their confidence in the coalition can be restored.
“Lessons in defeat are more enduring than those in victory. Let us, therefore, overcome this defeat with humility and embrace a new resolve to further strengthen the coalition.
“We need to recognise that what we think is best for the rakyat may sometimes not be necessarily so. We must put our finger to the pulse of the rakyat to listen carefully and earnestly to their concerns and grouses.”
He opined that the government must adapt to current economic and political landscapes in its plans to steer the nation.
“The government must take immediate action to commensurate with the current reality, to enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people, be they rural, urban, youth, women or minority groups.
“We must put out effective and coherent communication to address negative perceptions towards the government and PH. To the people of Tanjung Piai, we hear you. We will redouble our commitment and efforts to win the trust of the rakyat.”
Azmin also reiterated his call for all PH members and leaders to pool their support for Dr Mahathir.
“Therefore, I urge every member and leader of PH to continue to give our undivided support to Dr Mahathir as prime minister and PH chairman to continue to lead the country and the coalition.”