KUALA LUMPUR: A Barisan Nasional lawmaker believes that Malaysians are enjoying more freedom under the leadership of the current prime minister compared to the 22-year long reign of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Speaking to reporters in the parliament lobby, Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic) said the present government led by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was more tolerant.
The Umno information chief said many Umno members who worked under Dr Mahathir’s administration were disappointed about reports quoting the former premier as saying “people did not demonstrate like this against me before”.
"We know how we had to defend Tun when Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched a series of street demonstrations that lasted for months and even years.
"We defended his stand because at that time, he said street politics is not our way and that we should follow the rules," he added.
Annuar said that things have taken a complete turn, adding that many were confused by the stand taken by Dr Mahathir.
He stressed that, on the other hand, the public enjoyed greater freedom of expression under the current government.
"The government is giving them the room to conduct rallies and make statements. This was not seen during the Mahathir era," he added.
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