PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s recent remarks that he is too “liberal” to get Malay support, saying his previous election results show otherwise.
“My patience is legendary, so I don’t think I can be easily provoked.
“Dr Mahathir has been saying nasty things for many decades, so I don’t think it will affect my position and the party’s position to set things right,” Anwar told the press at the PKR headquarters today after a meeting.
“He may say that I can’t get Malay votes, but I find that, where I have contested, the majority of Malays supported me.
“In Permatang Pauh, which is majority Malay, they also supported me.”
Anwar added that despite Dr Mahathir’s remarks, he was still open to communicating with the former PH chairman.
He had earlier said Dr Mahathir is no longer PH chairman as his party, Bersatu, had been pulled out of the PH coalition by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.
“Dr Mahathir is not a member of ph. But we are open to discussion; in fact, he had invited some of us to see him today,’’ he said.
When pressed repeatedly on Dr Mahathir’s stance on PH, after the former had criticised Anwar’s supposed hurry to become prime minister, Anwar said he hoped that the former prime minister would be consistent with his narrative.
“You have to ask him that, because he may change his mind tomorrow. I hope he can remain consistent,’’ he said.
Anwar said the party’s lawyers are looking at compelling the defectors to pay RM10 million each as a fine for leaving the party. The fine for defecting is contained in a legal contract that all the party’s candidates have signed.
Anwar also said all of PKR’s large gatherings, including the prayer sessions at his house every Sunday night, have been suspended due to the Covid-19 outbreak.