Pakatan vs Perikatan friendly match highlights ethical politics - PH candidate

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor poses with Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir at a friendly football match between Akmal Nasrullah’s team and Muhammad Sanusi’s team at Taman Pekatra Ampat junction in Nibong Tebal June 30, 2024. - Photo by Bernama

SUNGAI BAKAP - Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sungai Bakap candidate Dr Joohari Ariffin praised the recent friendly match between Pakatan and Perikatan Nasional (PN) for emphasising ethical competition among politicians.

“We want to show that the game is just a game, not to portray or lure in any more conflicts between politicians,” he told Sinar Daily when met during a walkabout at Pasar Malam Kepatra Indah here today.

He added that Malaysian politics should focus on maintaining healthy interactions between the Opposition and the government, strategising the best ways to win the people’s hearts and allowing the country to continue to prosper.

“Yesterday, there were no issues or conflicts observed among the players or spectators.

"This is the kind of spirit we need to continue in the country,” he added.

He urged netizens not to exacerbate tensions while politicians work to resolve their issues, even through friendly matches like the recent football game that balanced the roles of the Opposition and the government.

“Let the people in power and in politics compete like we are competing now, but do not let netizens worsen and complicate the situation.

"We can support the party we like but not make things worse for them and others,” Joohari said.

He stressed the importance of accepting outcomes in competitions, including politics.

“For politicians, when they compete, they know who is going to win and who is going to lose, and each party can accept the situation with an open heart, as seen yesterday.

"Does PN say that PH wants to boast about success? No. It was just a friendly match,” he said.

He added that the real arena of politics involves strategising, determining the best players to tackle opponents, and knowing how to accept any result.

“The audience should also be able to accept any kind of result, even if it involves people they favour.

“There is a win, there is a loss. If it were a tied match, it wouldn’t be entertaining, right? For me, this kind of game symbolises a form of friendship; the name itself is a friendly match,” Joohari concluded while commenting on yesterday’s friendly match between the political parties.

In yesterday's match, a football team led by Deputy Energy and Water Transitions Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir secured a 3-2 victory against PN's top eleven led by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

The nearly one-hour match at the Taman Pekatra field in Simpang Ampat here gathered local and central youth leaders from both sides.