Opposition urged not to use Lahad Datu issue for political gain

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BESUT: The opposition should not play up the issue of the attack in Lahad Datu, Sabah in which two policemen were killed, as it can tarnish Malaysia’s image and hurt the feelings of the families of the deceased.

Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said said opposition leaders, including Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Tian Chua, were playing up the issue to blame the government which they alleged, had planned the entire episode.

“Tian Chua is a ruthless person for making wild accusations without knowing the actual problem,” he said after visiting the family of Inspector Zulkifli Mamat, 30, who was killed in the attack in Lahad Datu yesterday, at Kampung Kubang Ikan near here yesterday.

On Friday, Tian Chua issued a statement on the official PKR news website, claiming the intrusion into Lahad Datu was a ‘government drama’ to frighten the people and shift attention over the alleged issuance of identity cards to aliens in Sabah.

Meanwhile in Batu Pahat, Umno supreme council member Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi labelled Tian Chua as one with low morals, and lacking in dignity and patriotism.

He also rapped PKR Adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over his accusation that the government was slow in taking action against the armed foreign intruders.

In Alor Setar, International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said the opposition should defend the country over the intrusion and not run down the nation, as it could deter foreign investments.

He said, the foreign media would surely have reported Malaysia as being unstable
and chaotic, following the incident.

In Kepala Batas, former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi viewed Tian Chua’s statement as “nonsensical and baseless”, and indicated the opposition pact had run out of ideas. — Bernama

Abdullah said, Tian Chua, as a leader, should be more sensitive before issuing any statement because the incident at Lahad Datu was tragic, affecting every citizen in the country.

In Port Dickson, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Tian Chua should ask himself and leaders above him what they were doing before the intrusion in Lahat Datu. — Bernama