Pot-calling-the-kettle-black Rais tells Anwar to be responsible

Accused by Umno blogs of benefiting son with RM1bil deal

KUALA KLAWANG — The antics of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders, particularly Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in criticising their own country abroad do not reflect good leadership qualities, said Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

“We should look back at history and the world leaders because none of the world leaders had gone out of their country to criticise their own homeland,” he told reporters after opening the Simpang Pertang bamboo craft incubator centre, near here today.

He said this when commenting on Anwar’s interview by TVOne television station in Indonesia yesterday where he belittled the capability of the country’s leadership in resolving disputes and problems between the two neighbouring countries by claiming that if he were to become the prime minister, the problems could have been resolved immediately.

Rais, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jelebu, said Anwar as the MP for Permatang Pauh, was earning salary as a Member of Parliament as well as the Opposition Leader.

“As the Opposition Leader, it does not mean that he has the licence to criticise and belittle his own country. He (Anwar) has a responsibility just like Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak is responsible for the country.

“Thus, when he has criticised, to me his marks as a leader have dropped very low,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said Kraftangan Malaysia would promote the construction of houses using bamboo in several areas.

“We at the ministry, particularly through Kraftangan Malaysia will first of all draw up several plans for kampung houses which we can use as centres for our decorative products in several districts and we will highlight the beauty of bamboo products which we can use as construction materials for houses. — Bernama