Mat Sabu defends Anwar, refuses to 'condemn' Dr Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR: Amanah President Mohamad Sabu remains steadfast with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, defending his relationship and political cooperation with the opposition leader.

He said the relationship between Anwar and Pakatan Harapan parties goes back 20 years and that every alliance had their strengths and weaknesses.

It is also not easy to part ways after struggling for the same cause for so long, he said in a statement.

Nonetheless, the way forward is to find that common cause and to continuously strengthen the relationship.

"What is more important is unity and friendship. At the same time, we are always looking for ways to increase friends and reduce opponents. This is my attitude," he said in a statement.

According to the Kota Raja MP, better known as Mat Sabu, that same attitude is also the reason why did not condemn former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"I said no. We have worked with him (Dr Mahathir). We were on the same platform, against a very powerful kleptocratic government. After getting to know each other, how can I condemn him."

"The same goes for Pakatan Harapan which is made up of three parties, Amanah, DAP and PKR," he said.

Pakatan Harapan leaders came under heavy criticism following the opposition's failure to muster the support of 15 MPs to force a bloc vote on the 2021 budget in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.