KUALA LUMPUR: Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor views Nurul Izzah Anwar's opposition on his appointment as facilitator for the southern Thailand peace talks as the sentiment of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's daughter.
He said Nurul Izzah is free to issue statements as she is also a politician.
Abdul Rahim stressed that he will carry out his duties in mediating the peace talks as entrusted upon him by the government.
Nurul Izzah earlier expressed her displeasure over Abdul Rahim's new role, labelling him a 'being' that 'lied to the whole world' on her father's whereabouts and wellbeing.
The PKR vice-president was referring to the incident in 1998 in which Abdul Rahim had assaulted Anwar while the former deputy prime minister was in police custody.
"For me, the opposition shown by YB Nurul Izzah is her opinion as the daughter of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and I do not take it as a serious matter.
"I will however continue to carry out this trust given by the government to me in mediating the peace talks between the Thai government and the Islamic organisations in southern Thailand," he said when contacted today.
Abdul Rahim said what happened with Anwar was in the past and he already received his punishment for what transpired.
The former IGP was eventually charged for the assault and received a two-month jail sentence. He later on apologised to Anwar and his family for what happened.
"What happened is in the past and I do not wish to elaborate more on this and my focus is to carry out my duties," he said.
Commenting on the peace talks, Abdul Rahim said he will replace Datuk Seri Ahmad Zamzamin Hashim whose tenure as facilitator has ended.
"The peace talks have been going on for quite some time and the goal is to help the Thai government achieve peace with separatists," he said.
"Previously several series of talks were conducted but it has yet to reach a stage where an agreement can be sealed, if the talks can proceed in a positive manner, an agreement can possibly be reached," he added.