PKR Youth drubs PAS counterpart for reviving 'old slander' against Anwar

PKR Youth has criticised PAS Youth deputy chief Mohd Hafez Sabri for mocking Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who declared himself as an “honourable prisoner” and for dredging up “old slander”.

The wing’s religious understanding and strengthening bureau leader Ashraf Hadi described these remarks as "shameful and un-Islamic."

He said that Hafez's comment showed the "shallow" politics played up by the Islamic party for the sake of political survival.

"As a party that champions Islam, the PAS Youth leader should be wiser and better behaved in his words and actions.

"Unfortunately, his (Hafez's) act of reviving an old slander clearly goes against Islamic values which emphasises the importance of justice, maintaining dignity and moral dignity," Ashraf said in a statement today.

Last Saturday, Anwar chided the attitude of the opposition who often used his status as an ex-convict as capital to criticise his administration.

“Yes, I am indeed an ex-prisoner, but an honourable prisoner who faced cruel and vile accusations,” he stressed.

Following this, Hafez yesterday urged Anwar to seek a review of the fraudulent sodomy charges against him and claim significant compensation for being imprisoned for the offences.

Ashraf further urged Hafez and other PAS leaders to stop using Islam for political mileage and stay away from slander and defamation.

He asked them to emulate former PAS presidents Fadzil Mohd Noor and Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, as well as former National Mosque grand imam Taib Azamudden Mohd Taib, as those who stood up for Anwar instead.

To cast doubt on leadership

Perak PKR leadership council chairperson Mohamad Hairul Amir Sabri said PAS' attack against Anwar was to cast doubts on the latter's leadership and credibility.

He referred to PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man's advice to Anwar not to become “frantic” when faced with calls to step down.

Rather than going after the premier's credibility, PAS leaders should instead debate based on policies, economy and other matters pertaining to the country's development, Hairul said.

"I urge Tuan Ibrahim to stop calling for Anwar to step down as prime minister.

"Until when will PAS repeat such calls when Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar has called for political stability in the country?" he asked in a separate statement.

"The royal decree clearly shows that the Agong accords full support to Anwar's administration," he added.

Anwar’s time in prison

Anwar landed in prison twice over sodomy charges, which he maintains were fabricated by his political rivals.

The first was in 1999 during Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s first tenure as prime minister. He was released in 2004 when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi succeeded Mahathir.

In 2015, Anwar was convicted again during Najib Abdul Razak’s administration.

While serving his five-year prison term, he was granted a pardon after Mahathir, ironically, became prime minister again with the assistance of the Anwar-led Pakatan Harapan.

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