Anwar’s letter to PKR members could backfire

Source tells China Press that attempt to make former DPM look like a hero may instead put family, lawyers under greater scrutiny

(FMT) – A letter written by former Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, cautioning PKR members about joining hands with Dr Mahathir Mohamad was made public to make Anwar “look like a hero”.

Quoting an anonymous source, the China Press reported that the tactic may backfire as it could put Anwar under greater scrutiny when he meets with his lawyers and family members.

According to the Chinese daily, several PKR leaders had denied the existence of the letter in order to prevent their president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail from being investigated by the Home Ministry.

The letter was said to have been smuggled out by a PKR leader.

Yesterday, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said under the Prison Act 1995, it was a crime to smuggle or attempt to smuggle anything in and out of prison.

Anwar is currently serving a five-year jail term in the Sungai Buloh prison after being convicted of sodomising his aide.

“Many PKR leaders were unhappy with the incident, and plan to take action against the PKR leader (who smuggled the letter) in the upcoming PKR Central Leadership Council meeting,” the source told China Press.

In the letter penned by Anwar , which came to light on Monday, the former deputy prime minister urged PKR members to be wary of Malaysia’s longest serving prime minister and the participation of various leaders from both sides of the political divide in the Citizens’ Declaration.

The eight-page handwritten letter, penned by Anwar from his Sungai Buloh cell, also called Mahathir as well as former Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin as the “father of crony-capitalism.”

The Citizens’ Declaration is an initiative aimed at toppling Najib and push for institutional reforms.