Anwar: Waytha’s ministership is Mahathir's prerogative

It is up to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to decide on P Waythamoorthy’s ministership, said Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim.

He was responding to Perkasa president Ibrahim Ali calling for Waythamoorthy to resign over his recent statements on the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple riots in Subang Jaya.

“We have to resolve the (temple) issue first and the Selangor Menteri Besar will call all parties to resolve it in a civil manner so that racial sentiments do not arise and worsen the situation.

“With regards to Waythamoorthy’s ministership, that is the purview and prerogative of the prime minister,” Anwar said in a press conference at the Royale Chulan Hotel, Damansara, after launching the book 9 May 2018: Notes from the Frontline by Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Ibrahim Ali had urged Waythamoorthy to step down as minister at the Perkasa “jihad” rally at Kampung Bharu in Kuala Lumpur today, due to the latter’s handling of the riots.

The minister had come under fire from certain parties for criticising the police over their initial assessment of the riot at the temple on Monday morning, with Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi accusing him of "creating provocation" over the issue.

Waythamoorthy was among a number of ministers who issued a joint statement chiding the Subang Jaya police for allegedly issuing an erroneous claim regarding the temple fight.

Mulling over appointments

When asked if Anwar intends to give a post in the party to former PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, he merely said he was still mulling over the appointments.

“I am still thinking. The party has to be inclusive,” the PKR president said.

Rafizi had run for the party deputy presidency in the recent internal party elections but lost to incumbent Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Anwar also commented on the possible Rantau and Cameron Highlands by-elections, urging for patience as the two cases are currently pending appeal.

In November, the courts nullified the results of the 14th general election for the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat and Rantau state seat.

The Cameron Highlands seat was declared vacant after it was demonstrated that constituents were bribed to vote for BN’s C Sivarraajh.

Meanwhile, the Rantau results were voided after the judge ruled that PKR candidate Dr S Streram had been unlawfully prevented from filing his nomination papers. - Mkini