Anwar backs Mahathir, says TMJ's move a 'royal intervention'
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has strongly backed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad over his recent spat with the Johor royalty.
Anwar said Mahathir was right and has given a clear message that the Federal Constitution must be honoured...
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has strongly backed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad over his recent spat with the Johor royalty.
Anwar said Mahathir was right and has given a clear message that the Federal Constitution must be honoured.
"He represents the government with the new mandate, we need to respect that," Anwar said when met in Bayan Baru today.
Asked if the move by Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim (photo, below) amounted to "royal intervention" on government matters, Anwar said: "Yes".
"That is why we reinforce our position, the PM is guided by the principles of the constitution. He has been given the task to comply with it, and we must ensure that he does the task effectively," he added.
Earlier, in Permatang Pauh, Anwar said the verbal squabble between Mahathir and the royal house was not good for the economy.
He said the royals may criticise but they would only invite brickbats when doing so.
"It is our duty to advise all, including the royal household, the aspect of having the peoples’ mandate."
The controversy between Mahathir and the royalty came in the wake of the prime minister claiming that the state constitutions of Johor and Terengannu were "nullified" following the formation of the Federation of Malaya.
Tunku Ismail recently said the prime minister should be changed, and his remark elicited a barrage of criticisms against him.
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