Selangor MB Mohamed Azmin Ali says he is finding it hard to settle
issues with PAS’ top leadership as the Islamist party has forgotten the basic
principles of the Opposition.
“I can accept differences of opinion, but it is not worth
damaging and destroying an alliance created in 1998. Through this coalition,
DAP and PAS could sit together, something that had never happened before.
“I am a little disappointed because there are some in the
PAS top leadership who have forgotten the most basic principles of the pact.
This is dangerous. We need to respect and protect the idea and have a stand on
it,” said the PKR deputy president in an interview with the Oriental Daily.
Azmin said Selangor PAS Commissioner Iskandar Abdul Samad
had acknowledged that the Islamist party could not fight alone, and this, he
said, showed there was still a chance for talks.
“But there are a few individuals in PAS who have a different
stand.”
The menteri besar explained that the defeat in the Sungai
Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections did not mean that the Opposition would not
rise again.
“To bounce back, the Opposition needs to be more honest,
respectful of different opinions, other parties and leaders, aware of people’s
realities, to have an Opposition that is strong and united.
“Even though the process is difficult, we should not give
up. Opposition unity means the support and cooperation of all parties,” he
said, hoping the leaders would have an open attitude and accept the fact that
people wanted change.
Meanwhile, Azmin, who was once considered the “adopted”
child of ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said his relationship with the former
prime minister was good, but pointed out that his loyalty was to de facto
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
He added that he had not stopped supporting Anwar since the
latter was sacked from the Cabinet in 1998.
“In fact, in the last 17 years, I never met Mahathir until
last year. The former premier, through a middle man, had asked to meet me.
“I met Mahathir alone after getting approval from Anwar,” he
said, adding that he could not accept the charges against Anwar, which he felt
were cruel and unkind.
Azmin said he had become Anwar’s aide on the recommendation
of Mahathir after his graduation in the United States and upon returning to
Malaysia.
He explained that he had to make a choice between the number
one and two, after Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister on Sept 2, 1998.
“They were both very powerful but I chose fairness.”
He said if he had left Anwar for a better position, it would
have been very cruel of him. He decided not to be with Mahathir but to protect
Anwar because he was good and clean, said Azmin who had served Anwar for over
14 years.
Source –FMT-
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