IPOH: PKR will continue to cooperate and strengthen its relationship with Umno and Barisan Nasional, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister, who is the PKR president, said this was among the issues discussed during the party’s political bureau and leadership council on Saturday night.
“This is the direction that the party has agreed on. We feel that our (PKR) relationship with Umno and Barisan in the peninsula should be strengthened,” he said in his speech at the state PKR convention held at the Kinta Riverfront Hotel here yesterday.
Anwar also said PKR was looking at expediting the party elections, and focusing on the next generation.
“The party elections must not be delayed because the general election is still far away.”
Anwar added that PKR would continue to cooperate among the parties within the Madani coalition.
During his speech, Anwar also reiterated that he welcomed Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s apology over the 1Malaysia Development Bhd controversy in good faith.
He took to task some parties who he said started “jumping” when he commented “Terima baik (Well received).”
“I am the Prime Minister, the Bapa Negara (Father of Nation); when someone offers their apology, what do you want me to do?
“So I said the apology is well received, but then we have certain people saying they can’t accept it.
“The case is in court, so let the court handle it. On matters pertaining to the Pardons Board, they are under the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“When someone makes a good statement, we must receive it with good intentions,” he added.
Anwar described those who criticised him for accepting the apology as “bebal” (foolish).
“When I mandated the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission), it is to instruct them to save this country and not to pick and choose anyone.
“I directed the Customs, Inland Revenue Board, police, MACC and all enforcement agencies (to do so). The Prime Minister’s instruction is comprehensive.
“This is my leadership. I have said within the Cabinet that the decision is unanimous, to take firm action against anyone who embezzled national funds,” he said.
On another matter, Anwar said the government had yet to finalise the income bracket of the T15 group who will be exempted from several of the government subsidies next year.
Acknowledging that there are parties who are upset that for the T15, their income bracket is only RM12,000, Anwar said if the T15 group could not afford (the exemptions), then the government would make it T10, or raise the income bracket to above RM12,000, maybe RM15,000, or even RM18,000, per month.
“However, the Opposition is defending the T15 when some of them earn RM100,000 or even RM1mil a month.
“The important thing is that at least 85% of Malaysians are not affected,” he added.
