Anwar disagrees with Muda's support withdrawal threat
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is against Muda's stance of wanting to pull out support for the coalition government over the withdrawal of cases against his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
"I don't agree. It seems an ultimatum was given for the prosecution to proceed (against Zahid) for them (Muda) to support the government.
"I want to stress that it is the MACC or the police who investigate, the attorney-general prosecutes, and the judge decides," Anwar told reporters after Friday prayers at the Masjid Jamek in Seri Petaling today.
He faulted the backlash against Zahid's discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) to the "system" inherited over the last few decades, where politicians are seen as "greedy, cruel" beings who victimised the people.
"I underwent the process. Now that I'm the prime minister, I'm not willing to use it against anyone else," he said.
Anwar emphasised that since taking office nine months ago, never once had he intervened in the judiciary.
On Tuesday, Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman demanded a detailed explanation from the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) on Zahid's DNAA - failing which the youth-based party will withdraw support for the coalition government.
Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman
Doing so would effectively deny the coalition government a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, as Anwar's government came to power after the 15th general election with the backing of 148 MPs, including Syed Saddiq, who is the Muar MP.
Muda also demanded the AGC provide a detailed explanation of the DNAA in Parliament which convenes next week, so it can be debated.
To this, Anwar said Parliament was not a court to discuss cases.
Separation of powers
The prime minister also said the process to separate the powers between the attorney-general and public prosecutor is ongoing.
"The government has made a decision (on the separation) much earlier. This is ongoing and we have not even referred it to the select committee.
"It will cost a lot of money. Fair, it has to be done, it will be done. But please don't suggest it has not been decided.
"You can't bulldoze it in a few weeks and we need to have a two-thirds majority to effect this reform," Anwar added.
On Selangor Perikatan Nasional chief Azmin Ali's remark that Anwar's 'reformasi' struggle was now a ‘reformati’ (dead reforms) movement, the Pakatan Harapan chairperson said Azmin started it.
“He (Azmin) was the one who killed (mematikan) reformasi. Otherwise, God willing, all is still good," Anwar said.
Doing so would effectively deny the coalition government a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat, as Anwar's government came to power after the 15th general election with the backing of 148 MPs, including Syed Saddiq, who is the Muar MP.
Muda also demanded the AGC provide a detailed explanation of the DNAA in Parliament which convenes next week, so it can be debated.
To this, Anwar said Parliament was not a court to discuss cases.
Separation of powers
The prime minister also said the process to separate the powers between the attorney-general and public prosecutor is ongoing.
"The government has made a decision (on the separation) much earlier. This is ongoing and we have not even referred it to the select committee.
"It will cost a lot of money. Fair, it has to be done, it will be done. But please don't suggest it has not been decided.
"You can't bulldoze it in a few weeks and we need to have a two-thirds majority to effect this reform," Anwar added.
On Selangor Perikatan Nasional chief Azmin Ali's remark that Anwar's 'reformasi' struggle was now a ‘reformati’ (dead reforms) movement, the Pakatan Harapan chairperson said Azmin started it.
“He (Azmin) was the one who killed (mematikan) reformasi. Otherwise, God willing, all is still good," Anwar said.
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