Danish hits back at Zahid over ‘better’ governance claim

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR Youth (AMK) information chief Danish Hairudin has hit back at Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s claim that Umno could do better, questioning the party’s track record when Barisan Nasional was in power.

Danish said Zahid’s remark, including his reference to “guru, cukup-cukuplah guru” (teacher, enough with the teaching), was ironic given the financial scandals and liabilities associated with the previous BN administration.

“Do better at what?” he asked, citing 1MDB, Tabung Haji and Felda as examples of the previous government’s record.

Danish said the government had to bear about RM42 billion in payments relating to 1MDB’s debts and commitments.

He also cited the Royal Commission of Inquiry’s findings that Tabung Haji should have recorded a RM1.4 billion loss in 2017, instead of the RM3.4 billion profit reported at the time.

On Felda, Danish said the agency recorded RM4.9 billion in losses and RM14.4 billion in liabilities in 2017.

“1MDB, Tabung Haji and Felda — three major names and three records that should be enough for Umno to stop patting itself on the back and claiming it can do better,” he said.

“Don’t just open the book today and forget yesterday’s examination results.”

Danish also questioned Zahid’s position as Deputy Prime Minister, saying he should not speak as though he were outside the government.

He said the decision on fuel subsidies was a government decision, while Article 43(3) of the Federal Constitution states that the Cabinet is collectively responsible to Parliament.

“If he disagreed, he should have objected and fought the decision in Cabinet. But once a decision has been made, a Deputy Prime Minister cannot take the stage and speak as though he were merely a spectator,” he said.

Danish said Zahid could not sit at the table when decisions were made but distance himself from them when they became difficult to defend before supporters.

“Where is the collective responsibility expected of a Deputy Prime Minister?” he asked.

Referring to Zahid’s advice that teachers should learn to listen, Danish said the Umno president should instead learn a lesson from teachers about responsibility in group work.

“If the group gets a low mark, do not blame only the group leader,” he said.

Danish said the position of Deputy Prime Minister was not merely about sharing power but also carried responsibility.

“If a Deputy Prime Minister himself is unable to defend a government decision in which he is part of, the choice is simple — uphold collective responsibility or resign,” he said.