PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim advised all contesting parties, including the opposition, to campaign prudently and not insult their opponents, as state election campaigning entered its second week.

The Pakatan Harapan chairman said they should use the campaign as a platform to explain current issues to the people.

“In politics, you can be firm, but don’t swear. I heard in a ceramah (political talks) recently words like “Anwar is treacherous, Anwar is an idiot” said… My advice is, let’s not be too arrogant.

“They (the opposition) want to criticise, it’s all right. What I have done may not always be right. Others can criticise and can give views, but don’t insult. Campaign well, no need to curse and no need to insult because in the end, we are friends and family,” he said.

Anwar said this at a unity public talk at Dataran Anak Muda last night.

Meanwhile, Anwar maintained that as prime minister, he and his cabinet members always wanted to be leaders who are just, look after the welfare of the people and reject corruption.

“Now they (the opposition) call us tyrants, a tyrant because they (opposition) charged in court with corruption. That was not my decision, I was in and out of prison, and spent almost 11 years in prison.

“I’m a prime minister now. It is not my job to be cruel. Why did Allah put me through so tough a test, and (my wife) Wan Azizah, my children, family and friends?” he asked. – Bernama, August 7, 2023.