'Typical PMX': Saifuddin not surprised by Anwar's reform blame game

Summary

• Bersatu leader Saifuddin Abdullah criticises Anwar Ibrahim for blaming others and failing to deliver on promised reforms.

• He accuses the prime minister of political survivalism and inconsistency compared to Anwar’s earlier confident reformist stance.

• He also says Anwar is using insufficient support as just an excuse to justify the slow pace of reforms.

Bersatu supreme council member Saifuddin Abdullah has accused Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of shifting blame onto others to justify his failure to deliver on promised reforms.

“This is a typical attitude of PMX (the 10th prime minister) - blaming others to cover up his own weaknesses,” he said in a statement.

Citing Anwar’s remarks yesterday, Saifuddin argued that the prime minister’s current stance stands in stark contrast to the tone and language he used before taking office.

“Back then, Anwar often emphasised that reforms could be implemented immediately and would receive full support from all parties.

“He also appeared confident that he knew exactly what needed to be done, and that everyone was supposedly ready to implement it,” the Indera Makhota MP added.

However, Saifuddin said Anwar is now claiming that the government could collapse if reforms are implemented too quickly, suggesting a tendency towards political survivalism.

“This is an unbecoming approach for someone who calls himself a reformist,” he added.

Saifuddin said he found it more concerning that Anwar is blaming coalition parties, such as GPS and GRS, regarding the issue of support for reforms.

“Finally, when he uses the term ‘hikmah’ (wisdom from Allah) as a reason to slow down reforms, I do not see it as reflecting the true meaning of the word.

“Instead, it seems more like a ploy - an excuse to justify his failure to implement the reforms he had promised,” he added.

Yesterday, Anwar, who has been criticised for the slow pace of reforms, said he is doing his best to push the agenda.

He said the agenda takes time and requires support from beyond his Pakatan Harapan coalition, which he noted does not have a simple majority in Parliament.

“There are some impatient ones. You can move fast and be thrown out tomorrow, so it has to be done with wisdom.

“Hikmah means a lot, not only in how you profess, but how you act. Do you have the resources? Do you have the necessary support? Are you able to convince the ruling elite and the professional elites that this is a mission that must be supported by all?” he added.

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