I will show proof, Anwar tells Dr M

SHAH ALAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will furnish the evidence behind his claims that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had abused his position as the former premier to enrich himself and his family.

"I don’t want to fight. He (Dr Mahathir) asked for evidence and I will show proof. No problem,” said Anwar during a dialogue with Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam students on Friday (April 7).

Dr Mahathir had recently given Anwar until April 17 to respond to his legal letter to prove claims that the former premier had amassed wealth to enrich himself and his family during his former premiership.

Dr Mahathir was referring to Anwar’s remarks in his policy speech at the PKR special national congress on March 18.

Meanwhile, Anwar said that he wasn’t totally against Dr Mahathir’s former leadership, as the nonagenarian’s administration had its pros and cons.

"But, he (Dr Mahathir) has left much damage," added Anwar.

Anwar also criticised Dr Mahathir for negatively labelling the Malays as lazy and forgetful.

"It is untrue. Which race has no lazy or forgetful people? Each race has it.

"The Malays have created huge figures, thinkers and also intellectuals. Don’t hurl insults," said Anwar.

On March 18, Anwar, without naming names, alluded to a leader who had been in power for 22 years and an additional 22 months and abused his position to enrich his family and himself.

Dr Mahathir, 97, served as the fourth prime minister from 1981 to 2003 and for another 22 months from 2018 to 2020.