ISKANDAR PUTERI, Sept 14 — Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) deputy chairman Amira Aisya Abd Aziz hit back at her former allies in Pakatan Harapan (PH) today, reminding them of their promises of reforms during last year’s Johor state election and the 15th general election (GE15).
She said that Muda was not being ungrateful, but was only upholding the electoral promises made to voters.
“The most important thing for Muda is to uphold our promises that we have given before, during and now after the elections.
“The promise that Muda made is not about a partisan promise, nor is it about loyalty to a party or coalition.
“The promise Muda made is our loyalty to our fight against corruption and we will not turn our backs against that fight,” said Amira Aisya to reporters outside the Johor state legislative assembly at the Bangunan Sultan Ismail in Kota Iskandar here today.
Earlier, the Puteri Wangsa assemblyman moved her seating position in the state legislative assembly after Muda withdrew its support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government on Sunday.
Previously, Amira Aisya was seated with the PH bloc, but was told to move due to Muda’s stand. She is currently seated with three assemblymen from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) balancer bloc in the Johor state legislative assembly.
Amira Aisya, a first-term assemblyman and Muda’s sole state representative, said Muda made the decision to break away from PH due to the promises under the reform agenda to the people that were not met.
She believed that the party’s struggle to uphold the reform agenda should be its priority as it was ultimately answerable to voters.
“What is important is the promises made for the people, that includes going against corruption regardless whether it is at the state or national level.
“In fact, I was among those that went to almost all ceramahs during the last general election to demand that Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi be incarcerated in prison.
“So, how can I go back on my words to the public?” she asked.
Amira Aisya said Muda’s decision to be an independent third bloc should not be viewed as being ungrateful to former allies PH.
The 28-year-old also responded to critics such as Johor Parti Amanah Megara (Amanah) chief Aminolhuda Hassan.
“I still regard Cikgu Huda (Aminolhuda) as a friend, but I would also like to remind him that being grateful should not be only towards partisan allies.
“Gratefulness should be given to the civil society organisations and activists that have helped PH push the reform agenda for so long.
“The Muar parliament and Puteri Wangsa state seats rightfully belong to the people and not any political party.
“In addition, our promises to the people are more important than our respective parties’ leadership decision,” she said in response to Aminolhuda’s strongly worded statement against Amira Aisya and her party.
On Monday, Aminolhuda demanded that Amira Aisya join Amanah or vacate her Puteri Wangsa state seat as she was given the constituency to contest by the party during last year’s state election.
Amira Aisya said the reason why Muda decided to go out on its own is because it felt that there was a huge gap in the Opposition in being an effective check and balance.
