Nur Jazlan: Dr M’s decision to return awards can be seen as an insult

KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's decision to return the two awards he received from the Selangor Palace can be seen as a further insult, said Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed (pic).

"It was given to him, it's not like he asked for it. If he returned them, it can be seen as an insult (to the honour) and to those awards," said the Deputy Home Minister.

Nur Jazlan was speaking a press conference for the Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam)'s upcoming annual general meeting at its headquarters here Thursday.

When reporters suggested that he had returned the awards because he had incurred the Palace's anger, Nur Jazlan said: "Itu bukan adat orang Melayu (that's not Malay culture)”.

On Dr Mahathir's and US-based lawyer Kimberley Motley's joint statement calling for Anwar to be "unconditionally released" from prison immediately, Nur Jazlan said that the jailed Opposition leader would be released according to the terms of his original sentencing.

"Patience. It's not that long more. He will be released according to the sentencing that was imposed on him.

"He does not suffer from any life-threatening issues. You don't have to worry about his safety, we've looked after him for about five years now," he said.