Saifuddin says he will be first to rebuke Anwar for unkept promises

Summary

• Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says he will be the first to rebuke PKR’s top leadership, including Anwar Ibrahim, for unkept promises.

• The Pakatan Harapan secretary-general says being loyal does not mean remaining silent about weaknesses.

Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail expressed his commitment to rebuke PKR’s top leadership if any discrepancies between promises and implementation arise.

During a speech at the PKR national congress, the home minister also expressed his willingness to be the first to rebuke party president and prime minister Anwar Ibrahim if promises are not translated into action.

“Allow me to be the first person to rebuke you if you do not do it. It means there is a gap between what you say and what you do,” he said in front of party delegates at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Johor Bahru today.

He further stressed that loyalty does not mean remaining silent about weaknesses, but rather being honest for the good of the party and the people.

“I will be the first person to rebuke if that does not happen,” he said.

Yesterday, in his policy speech at the PKR congress opening ceremony, Anwar promised to divide his time between developing the country and strengthening the party.

He said that starting in June, he would allocate one day a week to focus on building the party’s strength, including at the branch level.

This includes strengthening relations and cooperation between parties in the Madani government, he added.

‘Father for all’

Meanwhile, Saifuddin described Anwar as a father to all, not just to Nurul Izzah Anwar, who won the deputy presidency yesterday.

“Datuk Seri (Anwar) is a father, not only the father of Nurul Izzah... but a father to all,” he said.

Saifuddin, who was tearful at the beginning, said that he was not questioning the results of yesterday’s party election.

He also said he respected Anwar due to the latter’s experience and sacrifices in the party.

“There is no reason for us to question (Anwar). Our loyalty, our love are because (Anwar) is older than us. More experienced than us, and thirdly, Anwar’s sacrifices are more than ours.

“The hopes of party members, the people, the Asean region, and the world’s Muslims are also focused on the prime minister,” he said.

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