Anwar sends second letter from prison

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) has sent a second letter from prison cautioning against party leaders being too close to his nemesis Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The latest missive, described as a "personal letter", was specifically addressed to PKR vice-president and Bukit Katil MP Shamsul Iskandar.

Sources said the letter advised Shamsul to exercise restraint and wisdom when dealing with Dr Mahathir.

"It was written in a philosophical way, explaining the pitfalls of being too closely associated with Dr Mahathir," said a PKR source.

It is not known whether similar letters have been sent to other top PKR figures but it is likely that Shamsul was singled out because he had represented the party at a few closed-door meetings with the former premier.

Shamsul, who is a trusted ally of deputy president Azmin Ali, had been among 20 MPs who met Dr Mahathir at his Putrajaya office last month to discuss the Citizens Declaration campaign.

More recently, Shamsul attended a strategy meeting called by Dr Mahathir with regard to the campaign.

PKR leaders have distanced themselves from the Citizens Declaration campaign following Anwar's first letter from prison expressing misgivings about party leaders sharing the same platform as Dr Mahathir.

The letter, widely seen as aimed at Azmin, has seen the Selangor Mentri Besar take a step back from sharing the stage with Dr Mahathir who is seen as his "bapa angkat" or godfather.