Pakatan Harapan has suffered yet another by-election defeat, this time in Semenyih.
I congratulate Barisan Nasional on their victory. I also want to thank the Pakatan Harapan team in Semenyih for their hard work and hope that this setback will not dampen their spirits.
This is now the second defeat Pakatan Harapan has suffered and the first time we have lost a seat since the 2018 General Elections.
I have stressed many times that our government will succeed or fail based on our management of the economy, as well as our stewardship of the institutional reform process.
At the same time, the lack of clarity over our government’s goals, vision for the country and who will be its future leadership have also hampered our work. We must remember, we have agreed to the Pakatan Harapan consensus on this matter.
It has also weakened the confidence of voters in us. When leaders have no clarity and when there is no clarity who is leading, the county drifts and the people suffer.
This latest defeat highlights that we cannot afford to be complacent any longer, or avoid addressing the difficult questions and tasks ahead.
Pakatan Harapan’s leaders must tackle crucial questions over cost of living in a substantive manner.
It must also make government more responsive to the needs of the rakyat and combat corruption as well as impunity relentlessly. The promises outlined in our 2018 manifesto must be adhered to and realized as soon as possible.
Reform can and must be people-centred. That is to only way it will succeed.
Cameron Highlands and Semenyih are clear warnings for Pakatan Harapan: we must deliver or be voted out.
It is as simple as that.
NIK NAZMI NIK AHMAD
KEADILAN CHIEF ORGANISING SECRETARY
KEADILAN CENTRAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL MEMBER
SETIAWANGSA MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
