NIBONG TEBAL: PKR vice-president Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad has challenged Perikatan Nasional (PN) to close down all factories owned by BlackRock Inc in Kedah and Kelantan.
Nik Nazmi issued this challenge in response to a PN leader's call for the federal government to end any dealings with BlackRock.
According to Nik Nazmi, BlackRock is not only one of the biggest investors in the Malaysian stock market but also operates many factories in Kedah and Kelantan.
"I want to challenge any PN leader who asked that we have no dealings with BlackRock whatsoever.
"They should quickly close down the factories and leave the workers jobless. Only then can we discuss.
"And if the intention is to turn this into a political issue, BlackRock has been in Malaysia even during PN's time. It was not turned into a polemic then.
"Now, it has become a matter to attack, all because of the election season," he said during his ceramah in Sungai Kechil late last night.
As such, Nik Nazmi said there must be honesty and sincerity when raising any matter.
"Want to criticise us, agree or disagree with us, that is okay. But why on this issue? This is because, for them, this issue is good to raise a sense of racism," he added.
An opposition member of parliament has submitted a motion requesting the government to retract the decision to sell part of Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) shares to Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).
The motion was submitted by Machang member of parliament Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal under Standing Orders 18(1) & 18(2) as an urgent motion.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal stated that a similar motion had been sent earlier in June under Standing Orders 27(1) and 27(3) as a private member's motion to be included in the Order of Business (non-government affairs) for consideration to be debated.
On Saturday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the exploitation by certain parties of BlackRock Inc.'s purported involvement in the restructuring of Malaysia Airport Holding Bhd (MAHB) were mere political tactics aimed at creating a negative public perception.
Criticising these actions, the unity government spokesman described them not only as misleading but also characterised them as a very short-sighted approach capable of undermining national planning.
Meanwhile, Nik Nazmi also urged the voters in Sungai Bakap to vote for Pakatan Harapan's Dr Joohari Ariffin in the July 6 by-election.
The by-election for the Sungai Bakap state seat would see a straight fight between Joohari and Perikatan Nasional's Abidin Ismail.