Anwar is a liar, says Muhyiddin

By Patrick Lee

KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin today lashed out at Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, calling him a liar and an irresponsible leader who would do anything to strengthen his political clout.

He said this when asked to comment on Anwar's statement in an Indonesian news portal -- The Jakarta Globe -- which quoted the former deputy prime minister as saying that the Malaysian media tended to cast Indonesians in a bad light.

Speaking in defence of the Malaysian media, Muhyiddin said the local media had always been responsible in its reporting.

"This is proof that Anwar lies to fulfil his own political needs," he said, adding that the PKR de facto leader was not responsible in his actions.

"We do not have any problem with the Indonesians. Even if we do, it would be with small groups like Bendera (Benteng Demokrasi Rakyat), " he told reporters after attending the Dawn of the New Decade: Alternative Investments in Asia conference, here.

International relations between Indonesia and Malaysia appeared strained when three Indonesian maritime officers were arrested by Malaysian authorities in the disputed waters near Riau in early August.

The event took place shortly after several Malaysian fishermen had been held by Indonesian authorities for fishing in Indonesian waters.

In the wake of the incident, fringe groups such as Bendera had threatened Malaysians living in Jakarta and several other major cities in Indonesia. The radical group also threw human faeces at the Malaysian embassy in late August in protest.

Umno not behind strained ties

Muhyiddin also denied Anwar's claim in the web portal that Umno, the backbone of the ruling Barisan Nasional, was responsible for raising tensions between the two countries.

Anwar accused Umno of creating an impression that the country was under constant threat from angry Indonesians.

Denying this strongly, Muhyiddin said: "What did we (Umno) do? Umno is the government, and as the government, our relations with Indonesia is clear."

Rubbishing Anwar's claim, the deputy prime minister said Malaysia had always maintained good relations with Indonesia.

"As a politician, Anwar can voice his opinion, but he has to be responsible... He finds it very easy to accuse other people," he added.

courtesy of FMT