The Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak should consider holding a round table discussion between the UMNO-BN government and People’s Coalition (PKR) in order to discuss various issues of concerns and to formulate a comprehensive solution immediately.
Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Coalition is prepared to set aside their political differences to formulate a comprehensive solution for the sake of the country’s future and well-being.
“The spirit of independence is not just about tolerance or compromise. It’s also about achieving a greater understanding, accepting differences, and creating equality. We should be moving the country forward and face the challenges ahead together,” he said.
Anwar was delivering his speech in conjunction with the celebration of Independence Day, a day which he firmly upholds against the validity of the election result of the 13th General Election (GE13).
Earlier, Anwar asserted that independence means freedom from tyranny and oppression, and leading the country toward justice, freedom, democracy and dignity.
“Many have agreed that we still have a long way to go to achieve it. What good is independence if even the most basic constitutional right is being violated with such impunity?” he asked.
He also regrets the fact that some leaders are turning the situation around by exploiting religion and sensitive issues for their own benefits.
“Fifty-six years of independence, and there are still more racial provocations and incitement of hatred towards religious beliefs. Hate speech as well as seditious-writings are still being published in the print media.
“It is not just a mere weakness in leadership, but it also appears as if the government is provoking this phenomenon to worsen,” he said, referring to the recent screening of a racist film.
Anwar also said the recent escalation in shooting cases and serious crimes is very worrying. Graft remains to be a cancer while corrupted top leaders remained untouched without getting prosecuted.
“We support police efforts in combating and preventing crime. It is also important for them to carry out their duties with proper due process,” he said.
Anwar deplores the government for their economic dishonesty by stating half-truths and providing obscure statistics to cover up extravagant expenses.
“The international financial ratings agency, Fitch Ratings, has revealed the country’s deteriorating economical outlook. By right, that should be enough to galvanise the government into becoming more transparent in confronting the real challenges of the economy, ” he said.
“Instead,” Anwar continued, “the government dismissed the assessment – describing it as the work of ‘young analysts who refused to listen to the government’.”
