Following criticism from PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, former journalist A Kadir Jasin has urged members of the public to judge him by his writings and not what others quote from it.

In particular, he referred to his column titled “Masukkan Institusi Raja Dalam Reformasi” (“Include the Royal Institutions in the Reform”) that was published in Sinar Harian on May 27, and his blog post dated June 4, titled “Constitution: The King and the Pauper”.

“I will leave it to readers and speakers to judge me based on Anwar’s ‘criticism’ by re-reading and understanding my arguments on those issues,” the Bersatu supreme council member said in a blog post today.

He stressed that he was speaking in his personal capacity and not those of any positions he holds.

He was responding to Anwar’s statement last night accusing Kadir of issuing disparaging remarks against the royal institution.

Anwar said that while individuals have the right to express their views, Kadir should have shown more respect and decorum, and give the rulers an opportunity to respond and clarify.

"To give disparaging remarks without giving the rulers the opportunity to clarify, that's not healthy, especially when you use your position and be seen to be close to people in the government.

"I've also seen some of the assertions, and there are some major factual errors there. I think we should be mindful of that," he told reporters.

He said it had been an “arduous” process to reassure the Malay rulers regarding Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration. As such, individuals should be mindful in making their remarks.

Kadir, who is also the Council of Eminent Persons' spokesperson, denied that he is using his position to attack the royal institutions because the foreword to his articles clearly stated that the writings are his personal opinions.

He said if there are “questionable” facts in his writings, then those facts should be questioned and the correct facts should be provided.

“If I am mistaken, I will make a correction and apologise,” he said.

He also denied questioning the necessity for Anwar to meet the Malay rulers.

“I merely said that the kings don’t need any guarantees or comforts because their position is guaranteed by the constitution.

“I don’t deny the fact that Pakatan Harapan had to work hard to win the support of the Malay rulers, just that I later learned that apart from Anwar, other Harapan leaders also had audiences with the rulers.

“I don’t wish to start polemics with Anwar because this is unnecessary. Anyone who wants to understand what I wrote can read the two articles in the links I’ve provided.

“Read what I wrote and not what is quoted and purported by various parties,” he said.