De facto PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim has apologised for his security personnel preventing journalists from asking him questions during a Hari Raya Open House in Permatang Pauh recently.

Recognising the work of the media, Anwar promised to study ways to loosen security protocols for such instances.

“Apologies to members of the media (regarding) heavy security protocols of UTK (Special Actions Unit).

“Recognition is due to the media who persisted and thrived through very repressive circumstances under the previous regime.

“I will look into ways to loosen UTK protocols,” he said in a tweet today.  

This comes after a Malaysiakini journalist expressed her discontent over how members of the media were mistreated at the event.

Though other journalists expressed their support, some netizens – primarily Pakatan Harapan supporters – criticised her for "disturbing" Anwar and his wife Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail during Aidilfitri celebrations by asking them questions on national affairs.

'Government protocol'

Permatang Pauh PKR division chief Amir Ghazali had earlier blamed the incident on "government protocol."

According to Amir, the arrangements for the Anwar and Wan Azizah Wan Ismail are now different compared to when they were in the opposition bloc.

"As a government administrator now and visiting Permatang Pauh for the first time, there needs to be some protocol for the deputy prime minister which we had never experienced before.

"I, on behalf of the Permatang Pauh division and the security unit for the constituency, take full responsibility for the misunderstanding and incident which should not have happened to all media practitioners who were present at the time.

"We will ensure the incident will not happen again in the future," he said in a statement issued on his Facebook page.

Reporters barred

In Permatang Pauh on Sunday, Anwar and Wan Azizah were heavily guarded by bodyguards, who shoved away reporters who came close enough to the couple pose questions.

Eventually, Anwar relented and responded to one question asked by a Malaysiakini journalist.

The question touched on former premier Najib Abdul Razak's remark that since a new government has been formed after the May 9 polls, everyone should "forgive and forget" in the spirit of the Aidilfitri festive season.

However, no further questions were allowed, as the team of bodyguards acted aggressively towards the journalists and whisked the couple away.

Reporters' hopes of asking further questions were dashed when a press conference, which was supposed to be held at 10.30pm that night, was cancelled as Wan Azizah had scheduled a press event the next day in Putrajaya.