Time to drop same old tired narratives, Anwar tells Hadi

KUALA LUMPUR: It is time for PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang to drop the same old, stagnant narrative and look to things that hold more value, says the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took Abdul Hadi to task for saying that the unity government was an unsuitable one as Pakatan Harapan was dominated by non-Muslim parties.

“He (Abdul Hadi) thinks this is not correct... (but) the important thing is the principle.

“Where is the principle (that) we have sidelined Islam? How are Malays betrayed? Or (how have) we stolen Malay land, stolen shares, stolen government projects?

"We should judge (based on) this. Don't use old and stagnant narratives of the past,” Anwar told the media here on Friday (June 2).

On Thursday (June 1) Marang MP Abdul Hadi said the current government was weak because it was not led by a Malay-Muslim party to helm a country where the majority is Malay and Muslim.

Anwar urged the people not to be misled by such sentiments as Malaysia was a country of many races and faiths.

While it was important to promote appreciation for Islam, leaders should ensure that the rights of non-Muslims are preserved, Anwar added.

Asked about Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's willingness to work together, Anwar seemed unfazed by the development.

"It's okay. He (Dr Mahathir) is already tired," Anwar said in a short response.

The Prime Minister had earlier launched the "Orientalist Paintings: Mirror or Mirage?" exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia here.

The exhibition features an exceptional display of artworks from the golden age of Orientalism from the 19th and 20th centuries.