Anwar advised to ignore Dr M’s lack of confidence in leadership

 

Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s negative comments on Anwar Ibrahim should be taken with a ‘pinch of salt’, says former Klang MP Charles Santiago.

PETALING JAYA: Politicians and an analyst have advised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to disregard former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s statement that he lacks confidence in Anwar’s leadership capabilities.

Former Umno Supreme Council member Nazri Aziz said Mahathir’s opinion “counts for nothing”, based on his performance in the last general election.

“Not only did he lose when he stood in Langkawi but he also lost his deposit alongside other members of the party (Pejuang) he led,” said Nazri.

He said this meant Mahathir no longer “commanded” the rakyat’s respect, so Anwar should be given a chance to lead the country.

“Anwar is now free to do what is good for the country, and we should allow him to do that,” he said.

Mahathir attributed his scepticism of Anwar’s leadership quality to the 1990s, when Anwar was his deputy, and “failed” to step up as acting prime minister and address the country’s economic situation.

However, Nazri refuted this, saying: “I spoke to Anwar at the time and he didn’t actually have any power. Even though Mahathir was on holiday, he was always in control.”

He said Anwar’s knowledge as a former finance minister provides him the capability to relieve the country from its current economic crisis.

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago said Mahathir’s negative outlook on Anwar is a “consistent practice” and should be taken with a “pinch of salt”.

“So far, Anwar’s strategies and statements have been proactive and his priorities are right,” he said.

Santiago said there are issues such as recruitment of migrant workers and food security that require the prime minister’s attention, but advised against demotivating Anwar as “his plate is full”.

“The country should rally around him as we are dealing with an economy that requires everyone to put their minds together and work for success,” he said.

Analyst Azmi Hassan said Anwar is “way ahead” of past prime ministers, such as Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He cited Anwar’s two-week deadline for ministries and agencies to analyse and discuss targeted subsidies for the people, shortly after his appointment as the prime minister.

“Anwar is firm in what he wants and what to do. He is in the driver’s seat and all the ministries under him are just waiting for his direction,” he said. - FMT