KUALA LUMPUR: Yesterday's motion of confidence was done to prove the "moral legitimacy" of the current government, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said
The Tambun member of parliament said this in response to criticisms hurled against him by several Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs questioning his decision to table the motion of confidence.
Anwar reminded PN leaders that while he was aware that he legally has the legitimacy to be prime minister, he decided to go on with the motion due to PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's statement on November 24.
"Several MPs questioned why I wanted to bring in the motion. They should read the statement issued by Pagoh MP (Muhyiddin) who challenged me to prove my legitimacy.
"This was why, although the law affairs minister, the Attorney-General and even the Yang di-Pertuan Agong said there was no need for me to prove my legitimacy, I did so anyway to ensure a moral legitimacy," Anwar told the Dewan Rakyat today.
Moving forward, he expressed hope that matters related to his legitimacy as prime minister would not arise so that he could continue focusing on efforts to heal the nation.
"Give me the space to fulfil my duties. This is a responsibility, not a privilege. We are shouldering a big responsibility during a trying time.
"I appreciate all the criticisms thrown at me. While they are sometimes a little spicy, I will continue to listen to everyone's views.
"Sometimes, there are those who are like what Shakespeare said 'told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing'. So, we will have to be patient because not everyone can issue responsible statements."
Anwar said since he has proven that he enjoys the majority confidence of Dewan Rakyat members, he would continue to uphold the principles of the Federal Constitution.
He said this is especially in regard to the positions of Islam, Bahasa Melayu and Malay Rulers in Malaysia while giving assurance that those matters would not be questioned by any member of his government.
"We have to also look at our institutions. People are not investing in us. Why? Because they are not confident that our judiciary and enforcement are transparent and independent.
"Why is it that some big companies go to either Singapore or Hong Kong to resolve their litigation cases and not our courts in Malaysia?" he said.
With this in mind, Anwar said he would ensure that the judiciary would remain independent under his leadership, adding that he would not interfere in ongoing court cases.
"I have conveyed to the Chief Justice that as the prime minister, I will not interfere in judicial matters.
"It is they (judges) who are fully responsible to the constitution, the people and eventually, Allah, should they do anything that goes against (the law)," he said.
Anwar said he also had the same conversation with Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki where he told the latter that he would not take corruption lightly.
"I told him that he is now dealing with a new prime minister and that I mean what I say about combatting corruption. I want to clean up the country from corruption and abuse of power."