BUKIT MERTAJAM: PKR president Anwar Ibrahim today said the spat involving the prime minister, a minister and a member of the royal household is not helping in the government’s attempt at improving the economy.
He said there is no doubt about the prime minister’s position as his mandate is clearly defined in the Federal Constitution.
Anwar said while there is nothing wrong with royals having views or criticising any issue “it would only elicit further criticism if one proceeded to do so”.
“The PM is bound by the constitution and I think it is our duty to advise all, including the royal household, the aspect of having the people’s mandate.
“Let us focus on the economy. As far as Dr Mahathir Mohamad is concerned, we support the view that he is bound by the constitution and reiterate that he has the mandate to govern,” he said.
Anwar was responding to a question by a reporter if the war of words involving the Johor palace, Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman was any good for Pakatan Harapan’s reform agenda.
The Port Dickson MP had earlier taken part in a “Chat with Datuk Seri Anwar” session with the people on Jalan Permatang Pauh here.
On the Umno-PAS alliance, Anwar said whether it would be a viable opposition would depend on how PH performs in the next four years.
He said PAS had a track record in the states it governed while Umno had experience in managing a federal government.
“The coalition can be a force but it would depend on the ability and capacity of PH to perform. I am confident we will be able to deliver and once this is done, people will be able to judge,” he said.
He said people had the right to be impatient in wanting immediate reforms because they had experienced 61 years under Barisan Nasional.
On the rising cost of living, Anwar said the economy was bound to improve in the next one to two years and salaries were expected to go up as well.
He said that once income improve, prices would become a secondary factor.
“It is not an issue that can be resolved within a month. It has to be resolved through the economic growth and the capacity of our producers to be more efficient, and better still, cutting all forms of red tape and corruption,” he said.
Earlier, when addressing the crowd, Anwar said he was aware that people were becoming impatient that many of PH’s election promises had yet to be fulfilled.
He said they should give the government more time to undo the damage done by BN in the past 61 years.
“I am not worried (about not fulfilling promises). I feel that so long as we do not steal money, we stay humble and fulfil our promises one by one, we will do well,” he said. - FMT
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