Anwar says sorry, will loosen security protocols

After complaint of heavy-handed treatment by bodyguards, PKR de facto leader apologises and says he recognises efforts of the mass media.

A police UTK team provided security for Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Anwar Ibrahim. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: Anwar Ibrahim, de facto leader of PKR, has apologised to members of the media for being prevented by his security team from asking him questions during the party’s Hari Raya open house in Guar Perahu last weekend.

He promised to look into ways to loosen the security protocols of the police UTK (special action unit) which provides security for VIPs.

“Apologies to members of the media regarding heavy security protocols of UTK. Recognition is due to the media who persisted and thrived through very repressive circumstances under the previous regime. I will look into ways to loosen UTK protocols,” he said in a tweet today.

Anwar’s tweet was in response to a comment piece by Malaysiakini reporter Susan Loone, who had criticised Pakatan Harapan leaders for ignoring the media which had once given them coverage while they were in the opposition, and who were now “basking in the spotlight” of coverage from television as well as other big media outlets which once snubbed them.

Earlier today, the head of Permatang Pauh PKR, Amir Ghazali, said the protocol for Wan Azizah and Anwar was now different as they were now leaders of the ruling coalition.

“It is a given that when the deputy prime minister comes to Permatang Pauh, there will be protocol that we have never gone through before,” he said. “We take full responsibility for the misunderstanding which should not have happened.”

The new government’s media policy was also called into question earlier this week, when the Prime Minister’s Department allowed only national news agency Bernama, Media Prima-owned TV3 and state broadcaster Radio Televisyen Malaysia to cover a meeting between Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Chinese tycoon Jack Ma. -FMT