Anwar rubbishes speculation Dr Mahathir using Azmin to undermine him, adding that PKR leaders concerned over the appointment of Azmin to Khazanah’s board can raise the issue in the next PH presidential council meeting on Aug 2.
There is no need to interpret every move made by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a political context and he should be given space to administer the country in his own style, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The PKR de facto leader was responding to speculation that Dr Mahathir was attempting to sideline him by appointing Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali as the Economics Affairs Minister and to the Khazanah Nasional Bhd board.
Anwar speaking to Jamilah Sahak (left, in black), the widow of the late Suhaimi Shafiei after tahlil prayers on July 31, 2018.
“No, that is a bit far-fetched… He has his arguments. He thinks for the interest of the nation and the institutions,” he told reporters when met at the house of the late Sungai Kandis assembyman Shuhaimi Shafiei for tahlil prayers.
He added that any concerns about Azmin’s appointment into the Khazanah board should be discussed within closed doors among party colleagues.
Anwar said it was not out of the ordinary for Dr Mahathir to employ his own style of leadership, adding that he would do the same too once appointed into the Cabinet.
“He (Dr Mahathir) should be given the latitude to run the country. But you can’t stop people from making all sorts of interpretations,” he added.
Anwar is currently campaigning for Pakatan Harapan in the Sungai Kandis by-elections, which will take place on Saturday (Aug 4).
The Sungai Kandis polls is set to see a three-cornered fight between PKR’s Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, Umno’s Datuk Lokman Adam and an independent candidate.
In GE14, Shuhaimi had won the seat with a 12,480-vote majority. – The Star