Malaysia

[UPDATED] You want proof? Brace yourself then, Anwar tells Dr Mahathir

PM responds to predecessor’s demand to retract claims on amassing wealth during tenure

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 07 Apr 2023 2:15PM

[UPDATED] You want proof? Brace yourself then, Anwar tells Dr Mahathir
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) says while there is no doubt that some good came out of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration previously, the elder statesman had also left much damage in his trail. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023

by Amar Shah Mohsen

SHAH ALAM – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says he will furnish evidence demanded by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad after the prime minister claimed the latter had amassed wealth during his premiership to enrich his family.

This is in response to the nonagenarian’s letter of demand to the Pakatan Harapan chairman recently, in which he also called for the accusations to be retracted.

Speaking at a dialogue session with the UiTM student representatives council, Anwar said while there is no doubt that some good came out of Dr Mahathir’s administration previously, the elder statesman had also left much damage in his trail.

“I don’t want to fight. But if he is asking for proof, I will give proof. No problem,” he said, here, today.

Anwar was responding to a question from the floor on his view of Mahathir’s recent legal action. 

On March 27, Mahathir had issued Anwar a demand letter to retract his claims – that the former prime minister had amassed wealth to enrich his family while in power – within seven days, or face a suit. 

The letter was in reference to the PKR president’s speech at the party congress, which Mahathir said had painted him in a bad light. 

Later on April 4, Mahathir’s lawyer, Rafique Rashid, said he had received a notice from Anwar’s firm, Thomas Philip, requesting an extension to April 17 to respond to the demand letter, which was allowed. 

Meanwhile, in today’s dialogue session, Anwar also hit out at Mahathir who accused Malays of being lazy, ungrateful and forgetful – labels the former had branded as inaccurate. 

Without going into detail, Anwar noted that many great figures, thinkers and intellectuals are from among the majority race.

“How can Malays be deemed lazy when Melaka, for example, was a popular international cosmopolitan and trading hub?

“This is an issue of the leaders’ thinking,” he said. 

Anwar further pointed out that laziness and forgetfulness are not exclusive to Malays, but that all races are susceptible to such traits. – The Vibes, April 7, 2023

Related News

Opinion / 2w

Why Bersama is not Malaysia’s best hope

Opinion / 4mth

A civilizational moment for Malaysia: From Al-Attas to Osman Bakar

Opinion / 5mth

Government Procurement Bill 2025: Evidence of government’s firm stance against corruption

Malaysia / 8mth

 PM’s claim of compliance on Sabah’s 40% share conflicts with court ruling, says Roger Chin

Malaysia / 9mth

Nation on right track towards economic objectives, say economists

Events / 9mth

Global leaders, thinkers, and advocates from across the Global South in KL for three-day conference

Spotlight

Malaysia

After Johor, the uncomfortable question for Anwar’s critics: Were we too impatient?

By The Vibes Says

Malaysia

Network School's business licences revoked, to cease operations tomorrow

Opinion

Orang Asli in Pahang: Token gestures or genuine recognition?

Malaysia

Tuition teacher sentenced to 105 years in prison and 70 lashes for raping daughter

Malaysia

Azam Baki denies involvement in RM178.29 million contract linked to brother’s company

Malaysia

Aminuddin urges NS voters to weigh manifesto promising benefits for M40 and B40 groups

Malaysia

No need to resign, PM has absolute power if there is doubt – Ahmad Zahid

World

Gaza’s water crisis deepens as families face thirst, disease and collapsing sanitation systems

You may be interested

Malaysia

MINDEF to install radar on Layang-Layang Island to strengthen South China Sea surveillance

Malaysia

PM holds final authority on cabinet appointments - Minister

Malaysia

Immigration tracks 19 Network School foreign nationals who 'vanished' from official records

Malaysia

Malaysia faces record heat risk in 2027 as El Niño expected to intensify

Malaysia

Bung’s widow cleared of abetting late husband in RM2.8m corruption case

Malaysia

AirBorneo an important ‘air bridge’ between Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia – Abang Jo

Malaysia

PH pledges 30,000 high-paying jobs, 20,000 affordable homes in Negeri manifesto

Malaysia

Tengku Ampuan Pahang offers land to Orang Asli families affected by Sungai Cot land dispute