KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says it is not the time yet to discuss about plans to release former Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from prison.
In its report today, Bernama quoted Dr Mahathir as saying that the ‘free Anwar’ agenda stated by PPBM president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently, is not something that can be promised, and can only be considered if the party manages to form the government.
“All plans that all parties wish to achieve can come later. For now, we cannot promise anything as we do not have the power.
“If that is what everyone wants, then surely we can’t say no. We will study this aim (freeing Anwar) later,” said Dr Mahathir.
The former prime minister was speaking to reporters at the 55th national-level Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia (Perkim) annual meeting.
Dr Mahathir said he has yet to decide on whether he would attend the upcoming Bersih 5 demonstration, and has no plans to speak at the gathering, scheduled to be held on Nov 19.
The two-day meeting, which ended today, elected its new national committee lineup.
Dr Mahathir won unopposed, retaining his position as Perkim president for the 2016-2019 session.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who is also Perkim deputy president, said the ‘Free Anwar’ movement should not be made an agenda. He said that if it is adopted, then the Opposition should also fight for the rights of other detainees in the country.
“If you want to free Anwar, then you should free everyone. It would be unfair to just fight for the right of one individual, and not other detainees.
“Maybe the others (detainees) are so insignificant that they cannot be seen.”