Dr M sends letter of demand to Anwar, wants apology for PKR congress remarks

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad wants the Prime Minister to retract an allegedly defamatory statement made towards him at a PKR gathering.

Dr Mahathir also said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim must apologise in writing at a special press conference, and sent a letter of demand for this purpose on Monday (March 27).

He added that Anwar has seven days to respond.

“Even though the Prime Minister did not mention my name in his speech, it is clear he was referring to me.

“Who else led the country for 22 years plus a further 22 months as prime minister,” he said at a press conference here on Tuesday (March 28).

During the PKR special national congress on March 18, Anwar was quoted as saying that “someone, after 22 years (and) another 22 months in power, is lamenting that the Malays have lost everything... How could they not, if you were (taking) everything for your family and children. Now when you have lost power, you want to talk about the people."

The Prime Minister had also hit out against those attempting to create racial disunity, saying that "patriotism, racism and religious bigotry are the last refuge of the scoundrel”.

Dr Mahathir said he will consider taking action if Anwar fails to respond to the letter of demand.

“Even though he has made accusations against me before, he was not the Prime Minister then. As PM, he is a person with credibility, so what he says is taken seriously.

“He should not make allegations freely. That is very serious coming from the PM,” he added.