‘ANWAR CONCERNED ABOUT MALAY RIGHTS’

He feels Malay welfare not getting enough govt attention, says PM

PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had raised concerns about the welfare and rights of the Malays. He expressed this in a meeting with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently.

“He (Anwar) feels that we are not giving attention to the welfare of the Malays,” Dr Mahathir said, adding that the issue of Malay rights was also mentioned.

On whether Anwar criticised the government’s policy on the welfare and rights of the Malays, Dr Mahathir said no.

He said Anwar only “made some remarks about it”.

Dr Mahathir, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, denied rumours that Anwar had expressed his intention to stand in a byelection as soon as possible.

“He didn’t say anything about contesting. He just came and saw me, and we had some discussions.”

It was reported that a number of PKR members of parliament were willing to give up their seats for the incoming PKR president to contest.

Dr Mahathir denied any knowledge of political blogger Hishammuddin Rais’ claim that Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail disagreed with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng’s appointment as finance minister.

Dr Wan Azizah, claimed Hishammuddin, wanted PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli to be the finance minister despite not contesting the 14th General Election.

“I don’t know about that. I’m hearing this only from you,” said Dr Mahathir yesterday after a lunch and roundtable discussion with country chairs of the Asean Business Advisory Council.