PN slams Anwar's 'eye-popping' marathon Raya events in election-geared states

Perikatan Nasional (PN) today questioned the need for Putrajaya to organise federal-level Hari Raya open houses in the six states slated to hold polls in the coming months, accusing the government headed by Anwar Ibrahim of hijacking a religious celebration for political reasons and failing to adhere to its own austerity measures.

The opposition coalition said the series of Hari Raya events featuring the prime minister also goes against the convention of state and federal ties, adding that both parties should know their jurisdictions in organising such events.

"In this context, such an act of crossing the boundaries of respect and etiquette between the federal and state governments clearly challenges the image and dignity of the states and will certainly not contribute to a good relationship of mutual trust between both parties," PN deputy secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said in a statement.

The Prime Minister's Department last week announced that it was organising a series of Hari Raya open houses with Anwar as the main guest in the three PN-controlled states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, with three more such events to be held in Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan.

All six states are due to hold critical elections this year in what could be a referendum on Anwar's government, following a loss of Malay support in the general election last year which saw both the ruling Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional trashed in most Malay-majority seats.

Putrajaya also announced that Kedah would be the venue for the main national-level Hari Raya open house, a move seen as part of Anwar's charm offensive to win back critical support in the Malay heartlands.

Takiyuddin said the move to take the federal-level Hari Raya celebration to states gearing up for polls could see the abuse of government machinery "as the political motive cannot be concealed anymore".

He said the decision for multiple celebrations was also against the government's pledge to do away with financial mismanagement and wastage.

"Words will have meaning and impact if they are followed up with action, not the other way around," he added.

Takiyuddin said such large celebrations was "eye-popping and indefensible".

"This is because it can no longer be separated from political motives and the battle for influence ahead of the state elections to be held in just a few months.

"The stale and discordant rhetoric accusing PAS and now PN of making use of religion for political purposes is now unleashed on the federal government itself, which has hijacked an important annual Muslim event for its goal to remain in power," he added.