NURUL Izzah Anwar today played down the roasting Rafizi Ramli and PKR received from Malaysians over his statements on the appointments of three non-PKR leaders as senior cabinet members.

The Permatang Pauh MP said the coalition, which was just elected into power in Putrajaya, has not strayed from its focus, which was to ensure setting up a good government for the people.

“I am not concerned (about the backlash). We are sufficiently reminded by the people that we must focus on the agenda at hand.

“We must work in that spirit of optimism. I believe that with a lot of optimism and true camaraderie, we can overcome anything,” she told reporters during a kenduri in Permatang Pauh this afternoon.

Izzah added that her father, PH and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim would also issue a statement on the matter.

Yesterday, Prime Minister and PH chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced the appointments of Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin as home minister, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng as finance minister and Amanah president Mohamad Sabu as defence minister.

Missing at the prime minister’s press conference were PKR leaders, including its president, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also the new deputy prime minister.

Responding to queries why PKR had no representatives at the meeting or at the announcement, Rafizi said PKR was of the view that discussions were still ongoing and the cabinet appointments needed the consent of all four member parties of PH.

Social media users have been slamming Rafizi ever since for making remarks that could sow discord and hurt the PH federal government which is still at its infancy.

Among the criticism against Rafizi was that his statement was disrespectful towards Dr Mahathir, could caused disunity in the coalition, and upset voters who had voted PH into Putrajaya.

Rafizi was also slammed by prominent lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan, who tweeted: “PKR, please stop your nonsense.”

Former Malaysian Bar president Christopher Leong also commented that the squabbles started by some PH politicians over cabinet positions were disrespectful to Malaysian voters and did not inspire confidence. – May 13, 2018.