Defends MACC probes against Umno leaders, saying the agency’s freedom to act ought to be respected.
Whether Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim becomes the prime minister or not, Umno leader Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz says he will always be the PKR president-elect’s hardcore supporter.
“I am his hardcore supporter. Whether he becomes the prime minister or not, I will support him,” Nazri told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Monday (Oct 22).
He was asked to explain his recent decision to support the Port Dickson MP.
“I have always been his friend. Even during the hard times, I have always supported him.
“Although when I served as a minister (under the Barisan Nasional administration), I still attended his daughter Nurul Izzah’s wedding,” Nazri said.
However, he said he will not leave Umno.
Asked on the possibility of a unity government with Pakatan Harapan, the Padang Rengas MP said that “Malaysian politics is very fluid”.
“It is moving all the time. We should not say something will not happen as things can happen. We watch and see,” he said.
Asked to comment on the arrest of several senior Umno members, the former Cabinet member said all parties should accept the decision made by the authorities, including the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“Let us not try to accuse them of political prosecution. For me, what MACC did, we must always respect.
“If members are brought to court, they can clear their names.
“I was the minister in charge of MACC between 2004 until 2013. I truly believe in their independence,” he said.
Nazri acknowledged that he has been skipping Parliament because he needed some time to get used to be on the other side of the fence, as he has been part of the government since 1995.
“It’s a transitional period and I’ve been in the government since 1995 when I first stood for elections. I’m trying to adjust myself to be an Opposition, but you know, it will take some time.
“But I think I will participate in debates, contributing positively to any bills which I feel I support,” he said.
“For instance, I support the government’s call to abolish the death sentence.
“Because when I was the minister of law in 2004, we started this. I am very pleased and happy the government is proposing to abolish it in this meeting,” said Nazri.