Anwar: Pakatan will focus on all regardless of race

KUALA LUMPUR: The collaboration between Umno and PAS does not guarantee that all Malays would support the two parties, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“Malays (don’t only support) PAS and Umno. In Keadilan (PKR), there are Malays, too, as well as in associations and other organisations.

“What is important is not only Malay unity, but also the strengthening of the position of Islam, upholding Bahasa (Malaysia) and taking care of the rakyat,” Anwar told reporters after chairing the parliamentary caucus on reform and governance yesterday.

He said this when asked to comment on the meeting between Umno and PAS leaders.

Anwar, who is PKR president and Port Dickson MP, said the pertinent issues that need to be focused on are good governance and transparent efforts to help the people.

He said while the majority of poor and neglected are Malays, they are not the only ones as there are other races facing similar difficulties.

Anwar added that there are those who still need help such as Indians in the estates and the Chinese who are among the urban poor.

“Therefore, there is no need to emphasise only one (race).

“This is why I find that Pakatan Harapan’s approach is smart and it can resolve the problems of the rakyat, especially those in the B40 income group who need help,” said Anwar.

Meanwhile, Anwar advised PKR members to respect the spirit of Pakatan and PKR.

“I would advise members, including assemblymen, to respect the spirit of Pakatan and PKR’s stand to support the leadership of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as we had all agreed upon,” he said when asked to comment on an assemblyman’s call for Anwar to replace Dr Mahathir as Prime Minister.

PKR’s Batu Uban assemblyman A. Kumaresan said such a move would allow Pakatan to regain the people’s trust, which he claimed has been eroded.

Earlier, Anwar said the parliamentary caucus had discussed several issues, including ways to tackle corruption and to empower the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commis­sion (MACC).

Anwar said Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed, the head of the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption, had briefed the caucus on the plans to tackle corruption.

“We want to give him and MACC the support to ensure corruption can be curbed,” said Anwar.

He also said the caucus had discussed the Royal Commission of Inquiry on the allegations of judicial interference.

“It was mentioned in the meeting, and we are waiting for the terms of reference. We hope it will be all-encompassing and that the integrity of the judiciary can be protected,” he added.