Anwar troubled by hostility for dissenting views in Harapan

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said he was worried at the hostile reaction towards dissenting views within Pakatan Harapan.

As an example, he pointed towards the reaction PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli got when organisation Invoke said Pakatan Harapan won not because of Dr Mahathir Mohamad but because of bread and butter issues.

Several Bersatu leaders had then criticised Rafizi for Invoke's finding.

"I am worried by a number of responses that made it look like in our system, there cannot even be the slightest of differences. This is like the old system.

"What is wrong for youths to have some criticism? I too get criticised such as the issue of me riding in a (government) jet. If people ask, we respond. It is not a problem to me," he said in an interview with Astro Awani tonight.

Anwar said he was not defending Rafizi but there must be room for dissenting views.

"People say I am defending (Rafizi) but that is not the case. There are some matters I agree with and there are others that I don't.

"But to silence youths who are critical, that is a disease. If we want to foster a new line of leaders, we must give the space and latitude even if their views, to me, can be disconcerting.

"Let the youths air their views. We talk of a new, more open and democratic era, a transformation that inspires confidence but when different views are aired, it causes restlessness," he said.

Anwar said this sort of mindset had to be rectified.

"If there are leaders who view (dissenting views) as such, they must be reminded (not to stifle dissenting views)," he said.

Anwar described Rafizi as "controversial" but said he had also worked hard for Harapan in the last general election.

"But if we feel that he is out of line, then we advise him to toe the line," he said. -Mkini