Anwar tells Azmin to cool down following ‘cry babies’ tweet

There are people who want to protect principles and ideals, and there are people who just want to defend their position at all costs, says Anwar.

(The Star) – Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali needs to cool down and focus on national issues, says PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim following a disparaging tweet by the Economics Affairs Minister.

“Tak apa la (It’s okay). I think he needs to cool himself a bit. I think he should always focus on the central issues.

“There are people who want to protect principles and ideals, and there are people who just (want) to defend their position at all costs.

“So you must take this into consideration,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday (March 26).

“This country needs doers who are prepared to tough it out all the way, not cry babies. Whatever it takes, we must make it work – if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen,” he posted.

Azmin’s remarks came following comments by Nurul Izzah, who told Singapore’s The Straits Times during an interview that she was “broken-hearted” having to once work again with Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whom she described as a “former dictator”.

Nurul Izzah also said she would be serving her final term as an MP due to her disappointment with the Pakatan Harapan government’s performance.

In defence of Nurul Izzah, PKR central leadership council member Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad tweeted, “When a lady makes a stand, call her a cry baby? Cheap, very cheap”.

Responding to the minor social media tiff between Nik Nazmi and Azmin, Anwar said he hopes that the two PKR leaders would bury the hatchet with his explanation to the media in Parliament on Tuesday (March 26).

“They each have a big task of developing the economy. Why are they busy with this issue?” he said.

On Nurul Izzah, Anwar said that his daughter’s remarks weren’t only targeted at Dr Mahathir but also at several other Pakatan leaders.

However, Anwar also noted that Pakatan leaders had in the past reached a consensus to give “space” to Dr Mahathir to lead the country.

“That does not mean we cannot have differences in opinions or to give advice.

“Some people think that we are like the previous Umno government. That is not true.

“We give space – but our opinions, including those of myself and my family, is to give support and space to Dr Mahathir as our leader and the prime minister,” he said.

Anwar added that Dr Mahathir’s political secretary Abu Bakar Yahya is entitled to his opinion over the matter.

Abu Bakar had labelled Nurul Izzah as being “immature, irrational and emotional”.

“Tak apa la (It’s okay),” said Anwar to this.

“That’s his view and I have stated our view, which is a reminder for all parties to understand and adhere to the agreement and understanding among us,” he added.

In a statement issued Monday (March 25), Abu Bakar also said that Nurul Izzah should not have made negative comments about Dr Mahathir, especially to Singapore media.