Anwar defends Rafidah
PORT DICKSON: Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has every right to express her views on politics and Pakatan Harapan, said Port Dickson byelection candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The PKR president-elect said Rafidah was an experienced leader who often offered the best advice for the benefit of everyone.
“She is a person who gives good advice. She has the experience to review these matters, so it’s not wrong for her to give comments.
“The prime minister has explained (the restrictions) and given the guidelines. We will work on that,” Anwar said after a walkabout at Kedai Pernama here yesterday.
Present was former home minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.
Anwar was responding to Rafidah’s statement that PH should not be shackled by the pledges it made in its election manifesto.
The former international trade and industry minsiter had said PH backtracked on some good decisions, including the proposal to appoint Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as education minister.
Rafidah had warned that PH could lose power if it let itself be bound by its election manifesto and failed to make big decisions.
Syed Hamid agreed with Rafidah, saying no government in the world should overly rely on its manifesto.
“What Rafidah said is right and proper. While parties want to fulfil their manifesto, it has to be based on the government’s capacity.
“After the 100-day period, the rest has to be adjusted according to the government’s finances. When they are not part of the government, how would they know about the government’s constraints?
“What is most important is what the rakyat wants. They want to live in an open society. They want friendly elected representatives who are sensitive to their needs.”