PETALING JAYA, Mar 20 (Sin Chew Daily) — Perikatan Nasional information chief Datuk Seri Azmin Ali was puzzled that Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) was being punished under Pakatan Harapan rule.

"Why did you punish Tunku Abdul Rahman University College? This leader was very arrogant," said Azmin.

TAR UC punished by arrogant leader

"Education is an important issue. TAR UC does not only have Chinese students but also students of other races.

When PN takes over the government, I support Chinese education and also TAR UC."

In an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Azmin said Chinese is an international language and business language besides its cultural significance to the Chinese people.

He also said China is a strong country while the Chinese language is the medium of instruction to develop the economy in the region.

Many Malay parents are sending their children to Chinese primary schools. If such move can consolidate unity, the government should extend its support, he said.

In the 2019 Budget tabled by the Pakatan Harapan-led government, TAC UC did not receive any allocation but RM5.5 million for development. TAR UC did not receive any allocation in the 2020 Budget either, and the development fund was reduced to only RM1 million.

Lim Guan Eng, who was the finance minister then, said the government would allocate RM60 million to TAR UC (in Budget 2019 and Budget 2020) if MCA were to give up its control of TAR UC.

Crisis created by PH

Azmin claimed that the collapse of Pakatan Harapan government was because people were unhappy with some arrogant leaders.

A crisis took place after Pakatan Harapan was defeated in six by-elections, internal feud and resignation of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he said.

He is frank that PN took over the government in a crisis and was not an elected government.

To him, that was a crisis created by Pakatan Harapan and was not a coup from the "Sheraton Move".

As some of the Pakatan Harapan leaders were arrogant, the Malay community, Chinese community and businessmen complained that they were unable to meet the leaders. It was difficult for them to carry on with their businesses, he said.

"Pakatan Harapan lost in six by-elections. In Tanjung Piai, we received news that the loss could be 3,000 votes but the majority votes turned out to be 15,000. The Pekan Nenas state constituency under Tanjung Piai is a DAP stronghold," he said.

Foreign investors intimidated

Azmin Ali, the economic affairs minister in the PH government and former PKR deputy president, said PH was split as one ambitious man who had aspired to be the PM for the past 20 years created uncertainties by announcing that he would be PM, and foreign investors felt intimidated by the uncertainties.

Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir had to quit as PM and his resignation created yet another crisis.

A day prior to Dr Mahathir’s resignation on February 23, Azmin said six party leaders met with Dr Mahathir at 4pm at the latter's home. At 6pm, they sought an audience with the King as they were to attend an 8pm dinner at Sheraton Hotel, an appreciation dinner for members of parliament.

"Why blame us? This is a crisis created after Dr Mahathir’s resignation.

"When we had sufficient number of MPs, we sought an audience with the King for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin to be prime minister," said Azmin.

The six leaders invited by the King were: Muhyiddin, Azmin, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PAS president Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and the then Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.

"Right till February 28 we were still trying to gather MPs to support Dr Mahathir and we were unable to have sufficient numbers. We could only tell Dr Mahathir that he needed to have sufficient number of MPs to support him. Whether it is the palace, parliament or election, you need to have the numbers.

"Since Dr Mahathir was unable to have the majority, we supported Muhyiddin instead,” he said.

Azmin said he wanted to write a book to explain the situation then for people to know what happened.

Emergency decree to contain virus

On MPs on both sides of the political divide requesting for the parliament to reconvene, Azmin said this should not be an issue as long as the COVID-19 pandemic was under control.

Earlier, he said due to the worsening pandemic, the government requested for the King to declare a state of emergency to amend COVID-19 related laws without going through the parliament.

"The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continued to spike in December. Government hospitals were facing mounting pressure and if the government were to require private hospitals to admit COVID-19 patients, the laws would need to be amended and it would take a long time to pass the laws in the parliament.

"The same applied to the Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990. Workers living in poor conditions have led to the emergence of more infection clusters," he added.

Azmin said the August 1 deadline for the state of emergency was determined based on the Ministry of Health's estimate that the pandemic should be eased by June and July with the rollout of the national immunization program. An independent committee comprising of professionals and government officers would be able to advise the King while the state of emergency is in force.

Digital vaccine certificates for intra-Asean travel

Asean countries have agreed that digital vaccine certificate holders will be allowed to travel within the region, said Azmin.

He proposed this during a recent meeting of Asean economic ministers.

However, he said the issue now is pending discussion among ministries of health as the vaccine recognized by each country vary.

"For Malaysia, we recognize vaccines approved by the WHO. The health authorities of respective countries will make a decision after the discussions. I hope this can be confirmed as soon as possible," he said.

On opening up the borders and interstate travel, Azmin said the government would decide based on the progress made in vaccination and the easing of COVID-19 pandemic, adding that it would be opening up gradually.