Anwar downplays war of words with Azmin, says he may have been misunderstood

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR President Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has downplayed the war of words between him and his deputy Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, saying he may have been misunderstood.

Anwar, who appeared cheerful at a press conference in Parliament on Thursday (July 18), said Azmin probably did not fully comprehend his remarks as reported by the media.

"Azmin (probably) said that without reading the full statement (that I made).

"He is undergoing a very difficult period, and I will certainly not respond to a spontaneous outburst.

"He thought that I came to Parliament and said that he should resign, but that is not true.

"So I don't feel upset (over Azmin's outburst), but I thought he should have read the full text," Anwar told the media.

Also present during the press conference were at least 10 PKR lawmakers, among them, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul (Sungai Petani), Ali Biju (Saratok), Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh (Ledang), Chang Lih Kang (Tanjung Malim), and Willie Mongin (Puncak Borneo), Datuk Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid (Kapar).

Anwar also said people should not exploit Azmin's statement on the matter.

On Wednesday (July 17), Azmin said Anwar should "look at the man in the mirror"

"Read my lips ... Tell him he must look at the man in the mirror," said Azmin, adding that Anwar should reflect on his own actions.

Earlier in the day, Anwar suggested that Azmin should resign if he was conclusively identified as one of the two men in a viral sex video.

When asked about the statement signed by a group of PKR leaders who said that he should not have called for Azmin's resignation, Anwar said some of those who signed had misunderstood his statement.

However, he also acknowledged that these were good intentions to unite the party.

"I accept their explanation that perhaps I should have just said that we should leave the matter to the police," added Anwar.

Ali and Mongin, who were with anwar at the press conference, were among the PKR leaders who signed the statement.

When quizzed on the matter, Ali said the important issue at hand was to ensure party unity.