Wan Azizah feels hurt by Hadi's remarks but accepts it

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail admitted that she was hurt by remarks on her lack of capability to helm Selangor but the PKR president said she accepted the criticism.

“I am hurt by the personal attack against me, although I respect his opinion regarding my abilities and capabilities,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Responding to PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s remarks that she was “weak and unqualified” to lead a state as crucial as Selangor, she said she accepted the criticism “so I can improve myself, Insyallah”.

Dr Wan Azizah, the wife of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also called for all parties to stop commenting on Hadi’s criticism and instead “to continue focusing on and protecting the interests of the people”.

She thanked the PAS president and his family, adding that she would not forget Hadi and his party for helping her family in 1999 when Anwar was jailed on corruption charges.

In Kota Baru, PAS spiritual adviser Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat also joined in the chorus of criticism against PKR and DAP over the two parties’ demand for Hadi to retract his statement calling Dr Wan Azizah “unqualified” and “incapable”.

Nik Aziz went on to say PKR and DAP were merely “hitching a ride” with PAS in its fight against Umno.

“PKR and DAP have no right to force the party president as we (Pakatan) consist of three parties, and PAS is the senior member of the lot.

“I joined PAS in 1957, and DAP (set up in 1965) and PKR (dating back to 1999) are regarded as juniors. Based on that, PAS has tons of experience in conducting its own affairs.

“What right do PKR and DAP have to demand Hadi to retract his statement?” he told reporters when met at his office at Kota Darul Naim here yesterday.

While he was thankful that PAS had submitted three names for the Sultan’s consideration, he expressed surprise at the Sultan’s statement referring to PKR and DAP as being disloyal.