Nurul Izzah Anwar has defended her interview with Singapore's Straits Times in which she described Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a former dictator.
Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, the Permatang Pauh MP said she was repeating what she had highlighted numerous times before even prior to the 14th general election.
“To be fair, we (Malaysian lawmakers) are interviewed all the time (by the foreign media) and I [...] merely repeated my position which I made years ago even before the election.
“Time and again I have always said that (Mahathir is a former dictator), so there is nothing new.
“Whether it is with the foreign media or Malaysia (media), my priority is of course, as a Malaysian citizen, as a legislator, national interest overwrites everything else,” she added.
In the Straits Times interview, the former PKR vice-president spoke about how difficult it was to work with Mahathir, a “former dictator who wreaked much damage on my family and the system.”
The Permatang Pauh MP also expressed disappointment with the slow pace of reforms and revealed that this would be her last term as a federal lawmaker.
Commenting on this, Nurul defended her criticism regarding Pakatan Harapan dragging its feet on instituting reforms.
“It is (proceeding) at a sluggish pace, is that wrong for me to say? Is that unacceptable? As a citizen, anyone should be able to comment on the pace of reforms in the country,” she added.
Nurul stressed that she was still committed to reforms, adding that she would be focussing on prison reforms.
“Reform can be seen in many ways, and I have spoken publicly about the prison reforms that Malaysia urgently needs.
“But insyallah (god willing), if I speak to the Singapore media (in future), I'll keep to the script. That is the best way, rather than to share my innermost sentiments,” she added.
As for this being her last term as MP, Nurul said she would “cross the bridge” when she comes to it.
Citing ideals and principles, Nurul surprised many when she stepped down as PKR vice-president last December and announced she would not be serving in any federal government role.
She followed this up by resigning from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently in the wake of objections to the retention of Ronald Kiandee as its chairperson despite the latter no longer being part of the opposition. - Mkini
Salute to YB Nurul.
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