YOURSAY | 'To move forward, all resentment and past animosities must take a back seat.'

Mahathir must apologise for past transgressions, says Anwar's daughter

CQ Muar: Nurul Nuha, let the 'dead bury its dead'. Stop stirring up old wounds and digging up the past, however painful it had been.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad has taken that all-important step to shake hands with your father, Anwar Ibrahim - a step nobody had expected. This was clearly an indication that the former premier is remorseful over his past actions.

Let the wound heal, even if the scar must remain. After all, your father was not the only victim; others suffered the same consequences at that time, including DAP leaders Lim Guan Eng and his father, Lim Kit Siang, to name just two.

To forgive is divine and a virtue. Having said that, bearing in mind the forthcoming GE is our main objective, and the mission is to topple the government, we simply cannot afford further unrest and internal bickering within the present opposition alliance.

All resentment and past animosities must take a back seat if we are to confront the common enemy under the obnoxious regime led by PM Najib Razak. Wisdom and judicious foresight must prevail at all cost.

KCW: Indeed, a statement like this will not help to build a united opposition against Najib. Anwar will continue to rot in jail as long as Najib is in power.

The main focus now is to get rid of Najib and Umno from Putrajaya. Without a united opposition, Najib and Umno can never be defeated.

But unfortunately a lot of people, including Nurul Nuha, do not understand this simple fact.

Ahmad_Mizi: It was the handshake that reverberated all over the region. If the family cannot put the nation above self, then they should not be involved in politics.

AzlanNoor: The opposition will not unite. They have different targets; especially DAP and PAS. PKR and Amanah are only DAP's slaves. So nothing will change BN's great leadership.

Just wait and see what will happen after this, with Mahathir and Anwar on the same boat. People are watching their actions, but will never support their goals.

Victor Johan: Mahathir should be compelled, especially under such current circumstances, to tell the whole truth about Anwar's previous sodomy and corruption trials, and his indictment during his reign.

Also Mahathir should give his take on Anwar's sodomy trial during Najib's reign.

Kangkung: Yes. Mahathir must apologise, otherwise nothing can move forward. One question for Mahathir: If he was successful at dislodging MO1, would he meet Anwar like he did?

Yes, in politics, there are no permanent enemies, but what was done to Anwar during Mahathir's reign was unforgivable. An apology is a token gesture, but that's a start.

Goldee: I fully agree with Nurul Nuha that Mahathir must make a public apology not only to Anwar, but to his family, especially his wife, Wan Azizah, for all the shame and hardship she and the children endured.

No one can imagine or understand the difficulties they had gone through, not to mention the embarrassment and shame they faced.

Nurul Nuha and all her other siblings were at a tender age then, and their father was taken away from them because of political differences. Those who took Anwar away from his family had committed a heinous crime.

Oscar Kilo: Surely Mahathir is responsible for the culture of Umno today. Mahathir had 22 years to set the culture of Umno, and what we see today is largely the result of his actions and inactions.

Mahathir oppressed the judiciary. Mahathir amended the constitution at his whim and fancy. Mahathir used oppressive laws to silence dissidents. Najib is following in Mahathir's footsteps and taking us further down the road to dissipation.

Aktan: Nurul Nuha, the people know the torment Anwar went through. But an apology comes through sincerity of the heart and not on demand.

Leave it to Anwar to show his magnanimity and the people will certainly appreciate it. We are all humans subject to error.

FellowMalaysian: As the daughter of Anwar, Nurul Nuha could only speak from her heart on the family's 18 years of suffering, torment, anguish and pain, and Mahathir played a prominent part, especially during his years as the premier.

Anwar's family, and in fact the entire nation, are looking forward to a formal apology from the inscrutable Mahathir.

Sarawakian: Nurul Nuha, your statement indicates that you are a political novice. If Mahathir makes an apology now after your statement, he will appear weak and dependent on PKR.

He should be making an apology without prompting from you, to appear as a true, magnanimous statesman. Mahathir is a true politician, his manoeuvres so far have been impeccable.

I am sure he will swallow his pride and make an apology in due time.

Well Thats Fantastic: If we cling to the past when looking to fix the present in the hope of a better future, what will we get?

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