Anwar: Academic was silent on corruption, yet makes 'unmitigated disaster' claim

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed claims that Malaysia under Pakatan Harapan rule is an "unmitigated disaster".

Speaking to reporters, Anwar took a swipe at public policy analyst Lim Teck Ghee, who made the remark in a speech at the "Whither Maruah Malaysia 2.0" forum yesterday.

"That is a statement by an academic who was silent on billions of ringgit in corruption...you can (choose to) listen.

"When there was a lot of corruption, he was silent. Now (he) wants to say (the country is an) unmitigated disaster," Anwar told reporters after delivering the keynote address at a nation-building seminar organised by Muslim NGOs Wadah, Abim and PKPIM in Bangi this morning.

Lim yesterday said the list of disappointments under Harapan rule was still growing, more than a year after the 14th general election took place.

"Education, governance, race relations, religious relations, the debacles of Icerd (the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination), Zakir Naik, the Melayu Dignity Congress and more. The list of political disappointments and failures keeps growing," Lim had said.

Commenting further, Anwar said Lim should have instead focused on solutions for the issues raised.

"How could we keep quiet when there was massive looting going on?

"And now we want to speak on behalf of the Malays?" said the Port Dickson MP.

Meanwhile, Anwar reiterated there should be no more questions surrounding Harapan’s premiership transition plan, as all component party leaders have agreed for the matter to be decided by the coalition’s presidential council.

"There’s no uncertainty...all party leaders which comprise the majority have said they support Mahathir as prime minister, and then Anwar," he said.

Harapan critics claim speculation surrounding the transition plan between Mahathir and Anwar as the eighth prime minister has affected investors confidence towards Malaysia.

Most recently, Harapan leaders have sought to address rumours of an alleged plot backed by certain factions in Umno to form a new government without Amanah and DAP.  - Mkini