Harapan and my family back Dr M as PM: Anwar
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today reaffirmed his family's support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister and Pakatan Harapan's leader.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Anwar said doubts cast on his daughter and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah's support for Mahathir are unfounded...
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today reaffirmed his family's support for Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister and Pakatan Harapan's leader.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Anwar said doubts cast on his daughter and Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah's support for Mahathir are unfounded.
He said Nurul's comments, published in Singapore's Straits Times, did not cast aspersions on Mahathir's leadership.
"What was said has been said before, but it was (recently) reported by Straits Times. Of course, I understood (what she meant) and care about her views.
"It doesn't refer to Mahathir (as prime minister), but there are those who criticised without looking at the details," she said.
Anwar was asked to comment about reactions to Nurul's interview with the Straits Times, in which she had mentioned in passing that Mahathir was a "former dictator."
She said this when the interviewer asked her about challenges over the past year, to which Nurul said it had been a struggle to work with Mahathir, who once had her father jailed.
Several Harapan leaders had criticised Nurul over the "dictator" remark, including Mahathir's political secretary Abu Bakar Yahya.
When asked to comment on Abu Bakar's criticism, Anwar said he hoped his explanation would satisfy critics.
Nurul also repeatedly stressed that Harapan should focus on the economy and welfare issues.
Clear election pledge
On the government's decision to maintain Ronald Kiandee as the chair of the Public Accounts Committee – at least for the time being – Anwar said Harapan's election pledge to reserve the position for the opposition was clear.
He said the matter ought to be handled by the Dewan Rakyat speaker, on the advice of the prime minister.
"We just need to sit down and discuss the issue. The manifesto is clear, and this is not a complex issue. It is not something that would require billions of ringgit to resolve.
"It is a matter of a quick political decision – do we think the position ought to be held by Harapan (or) is this manifesto worth reconsidering due to the present circumstances?" he asked.
Anwar said that if Harapan felt that Kiandee (above) should be "rewarded," there are other positions available for him.
"But certainly, (on the issue of) the PAC chairperson, we have said – not me, I was in prison at the time, I just endorsed because that was the decision – (that it should go to the opposition)."
Nurul’s happiness ‘comes first’
In a separate post on his Instagram account, Anwar said that as a father, the happiness and well-being of his eldest daughter “comes first."
“However, as a father, I am also obligated to advise my children that they will always face challenges and disappointments in any path they choose.
“The hardships and hurt my family went through for the past 20 years have left their mark. (Nurul) Izzah herself was thrust into the limelight and has spent most of her adult life fighting to help reform the nation.
“Izzah is entitled to her personal point of view. We as a family will continue to focus on Malaysia's future and serve together with the Mahathir-led Pakatan Harapan,” he posted.
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