‘I won’t take over Pandan seat’

PETALING JAYA: PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has refuted speculations that he will take over the Pandan parliamentary seat, which is being held by his wife, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also deputy prime minister.

Anwar said it was impractical to do so at this juncture as Dr Wan Azizah, who holds the second-highest position in the government, would have to step down early.

He added that after being released from prison, he was more comfortable being a “backbencher”.

“I am free. I want to go around first. I have commitments and lectures at several universities, both domestic and abroad.

“I have not had the experience of being a regular member of parliament.

“I have held ministerial posts and been an opposition leader, so now I want to be a backbencher,” he said at a briefing for PKR elected representatives here on Wednesday.

The briefing was attended by 48 out of 50 PKR parliamentarians and 51 out of 67 assemblymen.

This was Anwar’s first official meeting with PKR elected representatives after his release from prison following a full pardon from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V.

Speculation, especially on social media, claimed that Dr Wan Azizah would resign as Pandan member of parliament to allow a by-election to enable her husband to contest.

Anwar confirmed that he would not contest as a member of parliament before the first session of the Dewan Rakyat on July 16.

“I have programmes in London and Turkey.

“After that, I will return and go to states I have not yet visited.

“After completing programmes in (Middle Eastern) countries and the United States, then we will discuss again, which will take more than two months, on the decision to contest which seat.”

On the statement by veteran newsman Datuk A. Kadir Jasin, who disputed the rights and privileges of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Anwar said it was improper for a person to exercise his right and freedom to speak against the institution of the Malay rulers with disputable facts.

“I do not deny the right of a person to write and speak, but to attack and insult the rulers with disputed facts and with intent to cause problems in the country is not appropriate.”

Kadir had said an average of RM16 million per month was spent on accommodation, residential, personal belongings, aircraft, transport, clothing, gifts and souvenirs, overseas visits for the king and salaries of palace staff.