Unity government not anti-Islam - Anwar

SEREMBAN - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that it is not fair to say that he left Islam or became secular or liberal just because he established a relationship with DAP.

He stressed that the unity government under his administration was not an anti-Islamic government as claimed by some parties. In fact, the allocation provided for the development of Islam was higher than before.

"My current experience in the government with leaders from Umno, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and DAP, we have made decisions that had never happened in history where the allocation for Islam was higher than before.

"The aid for community religious schools was previously cancelled, but we had chosen to help. Which part suggested that we are anti-Islam? Is it because I'm not wearing a robe and a turban?," he asked.

He said this in his speech at the Prime Minister's Mandate for Negeri Sembilan Civil Servants Ceremony at Seremban City Council Hall on Friday.

Anwar said it would not mean anything if someone just talks about wanting to save the Malays and Islam, but let the country be led by those who steal the people's property.

"How can Malays be saved if the leaders are not trustworthy? How can Islam be showcased if it (Malaysia) does not become an example of a well-managed country?," he said.

Apart from that, he said that the unity government would not be strong with only PH coalition parties.

He added that cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN), Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) was necessary to determine national policies that can form good governance.