ANWAR SORRY FOR DELAY
Country’s RM1 trillion debt means some pledges have to be postponed, says Anwar
PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has apologised for postponing several pledges of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto until the country has regained its financial health.
He said when the manifesto was made, PH did not expect the country’s debt to surpass RM1 trillion.
“When seen in today’s context, the statement is different. As such, I apologise as some manifesto (pledges) can be carried out while some have to be delayed,” he said at a question-andanswer programme titled “Meet Anwar” organised by Anwar Ibrahim Club here yesterday.
Among others, he said the debt contributed by 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case ran into tens of billions, compared with RM3 billion under the initial expectation.
“We thought it was under RM3 billion. We were not aware of the purchase of the ship, paintings and money given to Leonardo DiCaprio. This is a big problem, so (Prime Minister) Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had said to give him more time.
“Whatever we have, we’ll offer. These are problems. Can you get back all the funds? The aircraft was bought at RM250 million but the secondhand value for the ship is even lower. As such, we have to incur heavy losses.”
Anwar said he would give 100 per cent support to the administration of the government under Dr Mahathir and called on the people to give the Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chairman a chance to rule the country.
“Dr Mahathir has just become prime minister for four months. Please give him a chance to serve well. We will support him. We need to give him our full support. I want the PH government to be strong, respected and capable of carrying out reforms. Now it’s Dr Mahathir’s turn. We fully support that and I am giving him my 100 per cent support.”
He was replying to a question from the audience who wanted to know his vision as the country’s eighth prime minister.
Commenting on government policies on opposition states, he said it was a PH government policy not to marginalise any districts. We respect their rights as enshrined in the constitution. The responsibility of the government is to help the people, regardless of their political leanings and religion.
“Hopefully, with the implementation of policies in future, that will open the hearts of Kelantan people to look to us,” he said.
On the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012, Anwar said PH promised to repeal the draconian law.
“I have suffered (while in prison) to understand and realise myself the sufferings of others. When I was being punished, I saw Sosma and did not agree with the law. Secondly, I do not agree with the prosecution and severe punishments for minor offences that did not fit,” he said.
Anwar said he had forgiven former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in the matter between the two of them, but on matters pertaining to the country’s finances and the people’s interest, it was subject to the existing processes.
“Personally, I have forgiven him even though he threw me in jail. In the first two weeks, I slept on the cement floor.
“But the question on the country’s finances is a question for the people and I am not in a position to forgive, as they have to follow the due processes. If proven guilty, it is his fate. Whatever you take from the public, you have to be accountable,” he said.
Earlier, he launched the book titled “A People’s History of Malaysia”, written by PKR objection, appeal and disciplinary committee chairman Dr Syed Husin Ali.