THE Madani Malaysia Hari Raya Open House organised in six states is not a waste of money nor an act of riding on religion, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said. 

In dismissing such allegations, the Pakatan Harapan chairman said the entire cost of organising the ceremony was used to please the people, and claimed the same thing would have been done by any party leading the Federal Government or state governments.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, described such allegations as the personal views of parties who may not agree with the organisation of the event.

“Governments everywhere hold Hari Raya open houses, it’s not a waste because we feed the people. For me it’s not a waste.

“If it is done in a personal capacity, it is appropriate to use money from one’s own pocket. But this event organised by the government is for the people and (expense) is much cheaper (if) done in Alor Setar, Kedah than in Putrajaya,” he told reporters today.

Earlier, several PAS leaders took aim at the prime minister for organising the Madani Hari Raya Open house in six states. 

Perikatan Nasional deputy secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan and Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, both of PAS, have criticised the series of Hari Raya open houses in Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Negri Sembilan and Selangor as being “wasteful and politically motivated”. 

The six states are due to hold elections soon.

However, Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yaakob and Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, both also of PAS, have welcomed the events.

Sanusi has said that said he would attend the Kedah event hosted by the prime minister if the state ruler was present.

However, the PAS politician said he has yet to receive an invitation to attend in his capacity as Kedah menteri besar.

Today, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that the Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah will attend the Madani Hari Raya open house in Alor Star tomorrow.

Penang will host the event on May 6, Negri Sembilan, May 7, Kelantan, May 12, Terengganu, May 13, and Selangor, May 14.

Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are under the government of PN while Negri Sembilan, Penang and Selangor are led by Pakatan Harapan. 

On another matter, Anwar told human rights group Suaram to be objective in its criticism of his administration in delivering reforms and introducing policies in the country.

Anwar reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting human rights and introducing reforms.

“We’re dealing with the rakyat. We have seen the blunder with (the attempted ratification of) ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination),”

“We are committed to human rights. But you have to give us time,” he said.

The then Pakatan Harapan-led government’s pushed to ratify ICERD and it led to protests, forcing Putrajaya to make a u-turn on the decision.

Yesterday, Suaram felt that Anwar will be the worst prime minister if he failed to deliver the much vaunted reforms that Pakatan Harapan had promoted over the last two decades. – April 28, 2023.