MUAR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been accused of being willing to sacrifice his previous principles by collaborating with Umno.
This has been revealed by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief information officer, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, who claims that this action was in stark contrast to what Anwar had advocated and fought for before becoming Prime Minister.
He, who is also a member of the Supreme Leadership Council (MPT) of Bersatu, also raised a question as to why supporters and leaders of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition remained silent.
"Where are the PH supporters? Where is Lim Guan Eng? Where is Mat Sabu? He is busy riding a buffalo while others are on horses.
"Where are the principles of our struggle? In any struggle, we must have principles, uphold principles, reject corruption, reject robbers, and reject bribery. But because I want to become Prime Minister, I am willing to sacrifice principles and the struggle, and I appoint a bribe-taker as my Deputy.
"How long are we going to be fooled? Enough is enough. I invite my friends in Umno and the Barisan Nasional (BN). I also love many Umno members in Johor, including those in this hall. Come for the future of Islam and Malays, Insha Allah, will be guaranteed by PN and not PH, Umno, and BN," he said.
He said this during a speech at the Grand Finale of the Pakatan Harapan N13 Simpang Jeram program at the SBJ Ballroom, Kampung Parit Keroma Darat here on Thursday.
Also present was Pas deputy president, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man; Kelantan Chief Minister, Datuk Nassuruddin Daud, and Muafakat Nasional chief, Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
On Monday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court discharged but not acquitted Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi on 47 charges of corruption, breach of trust, and money laundering involving the funds of the Akalbudi Foundation.
Most recently, the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Thursday discharged and acquitted Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin and his wife Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad from all three charges of corruption amounting to RM2.8 million they faced.
Azmin said that Anwar was no longer the same as before and was now willing to cooperate with leaders tainted by corruption just to become Prime Minister.
"Anwar used to teach us to fight against corruption, today he is embracing corrupt individuals. He made promises to the people of Johor and urged us to take to the streets to fight kleptocrats and corrupt individuals.
"Today,he is in close contact and embracing corrupt individuals; we will certainly oppose Anwar Ibrahim," said the Member of the State Legislative Assembly for Hulu Kelang.
He said the situation is different in Malaysia, which advocates for a Madani Malaysia but its actions do not align with the concept being fought for.
Azmin added that it is unreasonable for someone facing 47 charges to be appointed as Deputy Prime Minister, and all his cases to be dropped just like that.