THE royal houses in the country have to respect the people’s mandate to the government and prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim said.

The PKR president and prime minister in waiting said “it does not help” that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and some ministers were having exchanges with a certain royal house.

Anwar said the prime minister’s position is very clear, and he is bound by the constitution.

“As far as the PM’s position is concerned, he had the mandate to govern.

“It is our duty to advise all, including royal households, to respect the people’s mandate and the fact that the PM and the government have the mandate to govern.

“There can be views and criticism but if you do it, there will be a response. You invite further criticism,” he told reporters after a hi-tea gathering with PKR members, activists and the public in Permatang Pauh this afternoon.

Dr Mahathir and the Johor palace have a thorny relationship.

The most recent row was over the appointment of the Johor menteri besar and state executive council, which led both Dr Mahathir and Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim to cite articles in the federal constitution on the powers of the state and the Malay rulers.

Tunku Ismail went as far as saying the prime minister should be changed.

Anwar today said such exchanges do not help and it would be better to focus on the economy.

He said bread-and-butter issues were the main concern of the people, and that the increasing price of goods have made people unhappy with the Pakatan Harapan government.

“I go down to the ground and people do express these concerns. These issues cannot be resolved in a matter of months.

“It is related to the level of economic growth and the capacity of our manufacturers to produce more, increase efficiency, and getting rid red tape and corruption.

“I agree that people do expect a lot because we did promise a lot. We can’t complain. We did promise; and yes, we will deliver but of course, I don’t think we can do it in such a fast period of time,” he said.

Anwar, who was finance minister and deputy prime minister when he was in Barisan Nasional over 20 years ago, said the government would need “one or two years” more to deliver.

“I am optimistic. Once the economy is better with income levels up (things will be better.

“When incomes have not increased substantially, a (price) increase of every sen will be a burden,” he said.

Anwar said it was understandable that people had high expectations of the PH government and want the administration to perform faster. 

He said governments were judged on their ability to deliver; even in states governed by PAS and Umno. 

“Umno and PAS also can be an opposition force, but that depends on PH’s ability to perform. 

“It is a wake up call for the government to do its best. We have time. We still have four years. 

“I am optimistic we can deliver.”

Last week, pollster Merdeka Centre found that only 39% of Malaysians gave PH positive ratings, just weeks from the coalition’s first anniversary in power.

The poll also found Dr Mahathir’s popularity rating down to 46% from 71% last August. – April 29, 2019.