In memoir, ex-AG says Nurul Izzah expressed family’s distrust of Dr Mahathir in 2016
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Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar is pictured in Parliament, Kuala Lumpur August 27, 2020. — Picture by Shafwan Zaidon
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 — Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar had related to Tan Sri Tommy Thomas in a 2016 meeting that her family no longer trusted Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, according to a reported excerpt from the former attorney general’s new book.
The report by The Vibes detailed how Thomas had met with Nurul Izzah after he was asked to do so by Matthias Chang, a known supporter of Dr Mahathir, to discuss with the eldest daughter of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was still imprisoned at the time.
“Nurul frankly said that she and her family could never trust Dr Mahathir after what he had done to her father.
“This was perfectly understandable. A predictable human reaction, considering the history of their relationship and the post-1998 episodes,” Thomas wrote.
The report added how that meeting was part of several others he had with Nurul Izzah at his office, where they spoke on the potential benefits of forming an alliance with Dr Mahathir.
Thomas then wrote how Nurul Izzah was left feeling sceptical about the alliance, following a meeting together with Chang at the office of Thomas, who was then still a private practitioner.
“I supported a meeting between the two adversaries. We were aware that many others acted as go-betweens and mediators before the meeting between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim finally took place,” read an excerpt quoted in the report.
Thomas also touched on a surprise visit Dr Mahathir paid to Anwar in court back in September 2016, when the latter was allowed out of prison to attend a defamation trial.
“Apparently, the meeting went well.” Thomas wrote.
Anwar received a royal pardon shortly after the 14th general election.
Thomas then wrote how he felt a formal agreement should have been set over Anwar’s role in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
However, Thomas in his book My Story: Justice in the Wilderness, then went on to criticise Anwar for his conduct after his release from prison.
Thomas wrote that he felt Anwar’s visits to various state sultans upon his release made little sense as the rulers had no direct influence over party politics.
He wrote that such visits could signal that Anwar was building influence among the royal institutions, or could be seen as Anwar shoring up support against his then party colleague Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
“Being kept out of the Cabinet only increased Anwar’s insecurity.
“What compounded his doubt of ever becoming prime minister was the apparent tilt, particularly in the first year of Pakatan Harapan’s administration, by the prime minister (Dr Mahathir) toward Anwar’s arch-enemy in PKR, Azmin Ali.” Thomas wrote.
The report also included how the senior lawyer, who in his book, pointed out several instances where Dr Mahathir’s actions had indicated his apparent refusal to pass the baton to Anwar, without citing specific examples.
On his resignation as AG in Feb 2020, the report noted that Thomas vacated his position once he realised the collapse of PH was inevitable following the infamous Sheraton Move coup.
Thomas noted that could not see himself serving the current Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had he stayed on in the position, and asserting the Pagoh MP would have not sought for his services.
The report by The Vibes detailed how Thomas had met with Nurul Izzah after he was asked to do so by Matthias Chang, a known supporter of Dr Mahathir, to discuss with the eldest daughter of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who was still imprisoned at the time.
“Nurul frankly said that she and her family could never trust Dr Mahathir after what he had done to her father.
“This was perfectly understandable. A predictable human reaction, considering the history of their relationship and the post-1998 episodes,” Thomas wrote.
The report added how that meeting was part of several others he had with Nurul Izzah at his office, where they spoke on the potential benefits of forming an alliance with Dr Mahathir.
Thomas then wrote how Nurul Izzah was left feeling sceptical about the alliance, following a meeting together with Chang at the office of Thomas, who was then still a private practitioner.
“I supported a meeting between the two adversaries. We were aware that many others acted as go-betweens and mediators before the meeting between Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim finally took place,” read an excerpt quoted in the report.
Thomas also touched on a surprise visit Dr Mahathir paid to Anwar in court back in September 2016, when the latter was allowed out of prison to attend a defamation trial.
“Apparently, the meeting went well.” Thomas wrote.
Anwar received a royal pardon shortly after the 14th general election.
Thomas then wrote how he felt a formal agreement should have been set over Anwar’s role in the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
However, Thomas in his book My Story: Justice in the Wilderness, then went on to criticise Anwar for his conduct after his release from prison.
Thomas wrote that he felt Anwar’s visits to various state sultans upon his release made little sense as the rulers had no direct influence over party politics.
He wrote that such visits could signal that Anwar was building influence among the royal institutions, or could be seen as Anwar shoring up support against his then party colleague Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
“Being kept out of the Cabinet only increased Anwar’s insecurity.
“What compounded his doubt of ever becoming prime minister was the apparent tilt, particularly in the first year of Pakatan Harapan’s administration, by the prime minister (Dr Mahathir) toward Anwar’s arch-enemy in PKR, Azmin Ali.” Thomas wrote.
The report also included how the senior lawyer, who in his book, pointed out several instances where Dr Mahathir’s actions had indicated his apparent refusal to pass the baton to Anwar, without citing specific examples.
On his resignation as AG in Feb 2020, the report noted that Thomas vacated his position once he realised the collapse of PH was inevitable following the infamous Sheraton Move coup.
Thomas noted that could not see himself serving the current Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had he stayed on in the position, and asserting the Pagoh MP would have not sought for his services.
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kt notes:
At that time (2016 as described above) Matthias Chang was still Mahathir's macai, thus the scenario described by Tommy Thomas [to wit, ... how Thomas had met with Nurul Izzah after he was asked to do so by Matthias Chang ...] suggested that it was Mahathir's side that approached Anwar's representative or daughter, Nurul (in Tommy Thomas office).
So the Devil, then after been ignored by Najib and generally marginalised by the UMNO centre of power, began to plot his revenge (and comeback). Iblis realised he needed Pakatan Harapan (PH) which was then a significant political platform.
In this he succeeded, and having succeeded after exploiting PH like a used tissue, he chucked the tissue aside and must have begun his second plotting, to eff up Anwar kaukau - we all know he has never relinquished his invincible hatred for DSAI since 1998. He wasn't going to undo his masterpiece if he could help it, wakakaka. Anwar could be said to be extremely lucky he didn't end up again in prison.
What a disgusting character, to use DSAI's power (PKR and PH) to get what he wanted, then to eff up DSAI kaukau. For a start he deliberately kept Anwar out of the cabinet whilst making Ass-binte a very powerful cabinet minister, one who significantly diluted the powers of the Chinese Bookkeeper, a nuisance to Atuk. No wonder Anwar was like a cacing kena abu. And he fooled everyone especially the Lims.
Nurul and many others in DAP, eg. Ramkarpal Singh, Sangeeta Kaur, Ronnie Liu etc etc, were the ones who have been wise and correct in not trusting the Despicable Deceitful Devil right from the start. But the Lims, for all their so-called 'smarts' were fooled thoroughly, even up to today.
And can anyone blame Anwar for cozying up to the royals as he knew that in Malaysia, and only in Malaysia, the royals play a significant part in political powerplay, more so when DSAI has been aware of how close Ass-binte has been to some royals?
Apa ini Vibes, saya cari-cari dalam buku pun tak dapat, maybe one or two paragraphs on the Nurul meeting buried somewhere tapi buat macam Toonsie was the only villan in the whole book...and this meeting with Nurul took place in 2016, didn't Wan Azizah decline the post of PM in 2018 and Anwar "bagi ruang" to Toonsie for 2 years?
ReplyDeleteBut in TT's book there are entire chapters on Altantuya, 1MDB, SRC, Gas Pipelines, IPIC, Goldman Sachs, Jho Low, Equanimity etc etc...but totally ignored (so far)....but when the media start reporting these KT please blog and discuss ya....ha ha ha...bet he won't....but I will raise in my comments....it's my duty for free comment....ha ha ha again....
very insightful nurul, trust no mahathir on the first 1 week n the last 2 weeks, in between all r fine.
ReplyDeleteAt the time, Atuk wasn't going anywhere without PKR support.
ReplyDeleteOnce he got the support, and won the elections, he started working diligently to divide up PKR by promoting Ass-min and sidelining Anwar.