Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan said the people would want opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan to explain ways to cover the ‘hole’ in the government’s income should the GST be scrapped.
“It’s easy to talk but there’s a ‘hole’ there, so how are they going to close it? Hence, they need to explain to the people,” he told reporters when met at an Aidilfitri celebration hosted by the Bumiputera Agenda Steering Unit (TERAJU) here today.
Rahman, who is also an Umno Supreme Council member and Barisan Nasional (BN) strategic communications director, was commenting on Pakatan Harapan’s seven promises to be fulfilled within 100 days after they form the government if they win in GE14, including abolishing the GST and stabilising oil prices.
Yesterday, Pakatan Harapan announced their top leadership line-up, with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its chairman, Anwar Ibrahim as de facto leader and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as president.
Touching on the issue of the Pakatan Harapan leadership which appeared as being steered by three captains, Rahman said they needed to prove that they could reach a consensus or make an official stand, as a party, on national issues.
“During Dr Mahathir’s time as (Umno) president, the party was also in turmoil as the number two wanted to fight him. What more now with three captains in one party. It doesn’t make sense to me.
“What will happen is that personal interests will rise above party interests and this will destabilise the government they form and have a very bad impact on the people and the nation,” he said.
Rahman said Pakatan Harapan leaders were always seen as having differing opinions on national issues which were important to the people.
He cited the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M), with some opposition leaders wanting the aid to be scrapped, while others viewed it as a good measure to help the people.
Rahman said he would also like to know whether Pakatan Harapan leaders shared Mahathir’s disagreement to the repeal of the Internal Security Act.
However, he said he was happy to see the opposition parties in a pact and wanted to know their official stand on various issues, to make it easier for BN to question their decisions.