PKR president and Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim today denied using the word “barua” against Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad after a video of a conversation involving them has been making rounds on social media.

“This is all ‘politik bangang’ (stupid politics).

“This is clearly slander. I was just joking with the prime minister and Mat Sabu.

“All this is the spirit of dignity after the congress of dignity,” Anwar told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

In the video clip, Anwar was heard saying that Dr Mahathir had become more spirited after attending the Malay forum (Kongress Maruah Melayu) on Sunday.

However, the word “maruah” was heard as “barua”, a derogatory term in Malay.

It was reported that Anwar had allegedly used the word “barua” on Dr Mahathir after the latter attended the congress.

In the clip, a standing Anwar is seen speaking to Mohamad Sabu, over the head of a seated Dr Mahathir.

Anwar and Mohamad are seen laughing while Dr Mahathir is getting his files together before departing the meeting room.

Meanwhile, Mohamad became the target of the opposition MPs in the Dewan Rakyat over Anwar’s alleged mispronunciation gaffe.

“Brother Mat, we already have the answer on what congress it was. PD (Port Dickson) MP has answered,” said Ismail Mohamed Said (Kuala Krau-BN) as he teased Mohamad during the minister’s question time.

“Do not disturb when people are answering,” replied Mohamad.

Ismail responded by saying Mohamad was a “witness” to what Anwar had said about the congress.

Mohamad continued his response to the question at hand before making a remark that pronunciations have to be correct, in reference to the video.

“So, the pronunciation is correct… maruah (dignity) should be maruah,” he said.

This prompted Ismail to ask if it was “maruah” or “barua”, to which Mohamad replied it was a clear pronunciation of “maruah”. – October 9, 2019.