PM shouldn’t have answered that way - Baljit Singh

GEORGETOWN - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was urged to apologise over the way he answered a student’s question, which is perceived as rude during a dialogue session at a matriculation college in Pongsu Seribu, Kepala Batas on Saturday.

Gerakan vice president Datuk Baljit Singh said that the answer given by Anwar was inappropriate and that his action resembled a bully.

“As a prime minister, he should not have answered that way to a student.

“Is the prime minister unable to distinguish between political enemies and young students?

“This is because the explanation given by Anwar is irrational as it is mixed with a political agenda,” he said in a statement on Monday.

Last Saturday, in a question and answer session at a matriculation college, a female student asked if the government would abolish and replace the quota system that favours the Bumiputera with a meritocracy system.

Anwar, however, stopped the question before the student tried to explain, which made her seemingly startled for a moment.

The student also asked to be given some time to explain so that her question would not be misinterpreted.

Following that, Anwar was criticised for giving a political answer to the question by saying that his government would lose all elections if they abolished the quota system that favoured Bumiputera students.

In the meantime, Baljit, also Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for the Bukit Tengah seat, said that as a prime minister, Anwar needs to understand the feelings of the people, especially the students who are disappointed.

“He needs to understand the feelings of the people instead of answering questions in an emotional state. Students are now mature and have the desire to understand the political landscape of Malaysia. Such behaviour is extremely shameful.

“Where are the DAP warriors who have been fighting for equal rights in Malaysia? Where is the Deputy Education Minister from DAP?

“Are they just keeping silent and hiding behind Anwar after becoming the government?” he questioned.