I will continue to speak up about what’s right and important, says Nurul Izzah

KUALA LUMPUR: An unfazed Nurul Izzah Anwar (pic) defended her remarks against Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, saying it is important to make her stance clear.

She added that she will continue to speak her mind.

“I’m always an optimist. But sometimes, I think we have to make our stance very clear. I did not mean any harm certainly. Insyallah (God willing), I will continue to speak in favour of what is right and what is important,” the Permatang Pauh MP said.

The daughter of PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was speaking to reporters during a press conference at Parliament lobby on Tuesday (March 26).

Nurul Izzah caused a stir after she told Singapore’s The Straits Times in an interview that she was “broken-hearted” having to work with Dr Mahathir once again, adding that he was a “former dictator who wreaked so much damage”.

According to Nurul Izzah, her dismissal of Dr Mahathir as a dictator to The Straits Times was a repetition of what she had said many years ago, even before the 14th general election.

“I’ve said it before the elections, I have said it during Bersih 2.0’s demonstrations. I don’t understand why saying it at a different (platform), but with the same message, is problematic,” she said.

“I think time and again, I have always said that. There’s nothing new. Whether foreign or local media, my priority is for Malaysians as a legislator. Of course, national interests overrides everything else.”

At the same time, Nurul Izzah said she remains committed to carrying out the reforms that Pakatan pledged for Malaysia, among which included her initiatives in reforming the prison system.

“Reform can be seen through many ways, I have spoken publicly about the prison reform that Malaysia needs to defend the vulnerable.

“Insyallah, when I speak to the Singapore media, I will make sure that I stick to the script, that’s the best way rather than sharing my innermost sentiments,” she said, sarcastically.

During the interview with The Straits Times, Nurul Izzah was also quoted as saying that she would be serving her final term as an MP due to her disappointment with the current Pakatan Harapan government’s performance.

Asked to comment over her plans to quit as an MP, Nurul Izzah merely said “let’s cross the bridge when we come to it”.

“I want to contribute in any way I can. That is the reason why I contested in the first place."

Without mincing her words, Nurul Izzah also said that the reforms taking place were at a “sluggish pace”.

“It is wrong for me to say that? Is that wrong? I think it’s okay for a citizen to say. Anyone can comment on the pace of reforms and, Insyallah, we will work towards it together,” she said.

Nurul Izzah had drawn flak for her remarks, with Dr Mahathir’s aide labelling her as immature, irrational and emotional in understanding the prime minister’s stand and the government.

Even her party colleagues Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and N. Surendran had attacked her publicly over the disparaging remarks.- Star