PM denies ordering cops to probe rivals, says criticism allowed

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has denied instructing police to go after his opponents.

He said people are allowed to criticise the prime minister and the government, and that he would respond to them instead of unleashing the police on them.

Speaking at a press conference in Putrajaya, Anwar said police investigations are being carried out in line with constitutional safeguards after the Conference of Rulers called for an end to racial and religious incitement.

"This is not an instruction from the prime minister or the government, but (based on) constitutional provisions and the warning by the Malay rulers against playing up racial sentiments and religious extremism.

"The instruction (to not play up sentiments) is from the Malay rulers to abide by the spirit of the Constitution," he told reporters at the Prime Minister's Office.

PAS leaders had launched racial and religiously motivated attacks against the government after Perikatan Nasional (PN) failed to capture Putrajaya.

Following this, PKR information chief Fahmi Fadzil - who had yet to be appointed to the cabinet at the time - said on Nov 28 that the prime minister had asked police to probe slanderous remarks.

Rulers’ decree against incitements

Fahmi, who is now the digital communications minister, said a line had to be drawn on accusations such as being an Israeli agent.

The Conference of Rulers’ decree against racial and religious incitement came two days later on Nov 30.

Meanwhile, Anwar said such incitement can't be equated to acts of criticising the prime minister or the government.

"I have never ordered (police to probe critics). In fact, I told the Inspector-General of Police that criticism of the prime minister and government is allowed in a democratic system.

“I will also be using that (democratic space) to answer my critics," he said.

Perikatan Nasional chief Muhyiddin Yassin

Anwar's ascension to the post of prime minister had been a deeply divisive matter, as both he and PN chief Muhyiddin Yassin raced to cobble together a majority after the 15th general election ended with a hung Parliament.

Anwar: Muhyiddin’s 115 MPs before palace deadline expired

Muhyiddin claimed to have secured a majority first - with 115 MPs - which he argued should have been accepted.

Anwar said, while Muhyiddin claimed to have 115 MPs, this was however before the deadline set by the palace expired.

He said the next day nine BN MPs abandoned PN as did GPS - which entrusted its support to the Yang diPertuan Agong's discretion.

Anwar said the Conference of Rulers also unanimously decided on who should be prime minister.

Hence, he said, his legitimacy as prime minister should not be questioned.

"There is no obstacle for other efforts (to form the government) through democratic channels, to reject (me as prime minister) and such, but it is not appropriate to question my legitimacy," he said.

Anwar will be facing a Vote of Confidence in Parliament on Dec 19 - at which PN hopes to topple him and take over Putrajaya.

However, the prime minister - whose Pakatan Harapan coalition has 82 seats - claimed he now has an almost two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat. - Mkini