Anwar Ibrahim contended that PAS lawmaker Awang Hashim’s attempt to compare the sitting prime minister to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad over alleged vindictiveness in dissident crackdowns was “totally absurd”.

In the Tambun MP’s reply to the Pendang MP’s statement of defence against his defamation suit, Anwar denied the comparison, reiterating that all investigation agencies and prosecutorial services in Malaysia act independently, impartially, and without fear or favour...