OPPOSITION leader Anwar Ibrahim has refused to pounce on Dr Mahathir Mohamad following the latter’s criticism of the Port Dickson MP early this week. 

Speaking to reporters after an event in Kuala Lumpur, Anwar reiterated that Pakatan Harapan was open to work with any party that upholds good governance policies. 

“I do not want to bicker about what he said,” Anwar told the press as he was repeatedly asked to respond to Dr Mahathir’s criticism. 

“We are opened to any cooperation as long as the other party agrees with our principles. I am not cooperating with individuals per se, I am cooperating on matters of principle,” he said. 

Dr Mahathir recently said he no longer believed in Anwar as the PKR president has made so many promises in the past but has yet to fulfil any one of them.

The former prime minister also played down Anwar’s chances of becoming prime minister.

“Pi balik lah (go home),” the 95-year-old said in his native Kedah dialect.

Dr Mahathir said this after he was asked whether he would extend an olive branch to Anwar. 

The veteran leader also dismissed joining a grand opposition coalition headed by Anwar to face the next general election, saying his party Pejuang would rather be a credible third force.

Anwar was also today asked to comment on PKR youth chief Akmal Nasir who had urged PH to move forward without Dr Mahathir. 

“We understand the hardship many of us have faced but I do not represent such views. 

“We are still tied to what we have discussed that is to be opened to anyone but with strict policies,” he said.

Akmal in a recent statement had asked Dr Mahathir to take a deep look at himself before attacking the PKR president. 

Akmal also urged PH to dump Dr Mahathir and move on, adding that the former prime minister was only trying to divide and rule the opposition parties. 

“The tactic is already irrelevant. PH needs to realise that Dr Mahathir is just using us for his own gain and we must not allow this to happen,” he had said. – January 3, 2021.