Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is not likely to heed the advice of former Perlis mufti Asri Zainul Abidin to retire, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

This is because, he said, Anwar, who once held the deputy prime minister’s post before his sacking in 1998, has not reached his goal of becoming prime minister of Malaysia.

But in what appeared to be a muted remark on the topic he is often scathing about, the deputy premier conceded that it is Anwar’s “right” to set his sights on the premiership.

NONE “I don’t need to comment on all this. I don’t think Anwar will make a decision based on the advice of the former mufti. (sniggers)

“(Anwar) has his own political considerations. As we understand it, he is still interested because his ambitions have yet to be fulfilled, to be prime minister and to control Putrajaya... but that is his right,” he said.

Muhyiddin said this at a press conference alongside representatives of the China Council for Promotion of International Trade, at the World Chinese Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur.

NONE On a separate topic, Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, urged Chinese-based NGOs who have raised concern over the decision to make History a must-pass SPM subject to not be influenced by “parties who say that this move has ulterior motives”.

“Don’t feel worried or suspicious... there is no political agenda, don’t misread it that way.

“The History subject is based on historical facts. No one has contested this... Why should we fear our own history?” he asked.

Malaysian Chinese backbone of economy

Earlier, Muhyiddin had read out Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s keynote address which lauded the Chinese community’s contribution to the nation.

“The community continues to form the backbone of the Malaysian economy... Malaysia would not be what it is today without the industry, expertise and dedication of the Malaysian Chinese community.

“Likewise, there will be a bleak future for Malaysia without the Chinese community’s support,” he said.

In what sounded like a pitch to Chinese foreign investors, Najib’s speech also highlighted that Malaysia has learnt that “free trade, open markets and openness to investment are the way to prosperity”.

“I can assure all investors that they will find in Malaysia a government that is open, transparent, market-friendly and pro-business,” Muhyiddin read out.

An 'ex-' telling another 'ex-' to retire