Malaysian politicians hit back at Nurul Izzah in defence of Mahathir

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian politicians have defended Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, after he was publicly criticised by former People's Justice Party (PKR) vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

Those who spoke out against Ms Nurul Izzah — who is the daughter of prime minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim — included senior figures from her own party.

"He is a workaholic who never stops working," said Malaysia’s youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman on Twitter on Monday (March 25).

"He listens to everyone's views, regardless of how young you are. He loves unconventional ideas.

"He has the moral courage to do things that no one else would. He always puts Malaysia first, even if it means sacrificing himself."

Mr Syed Saddiq tweeted in defence of Dr Mahathir after Ms Nurul Izzah described Dr Mahathir as a "former dictator" who had caused much damage to her family and the nation in an interview with Singapore’s The Straits Times on Sunday.

Ms Nurul Izzah abruptly quit as PKR vice-president in December last year. She remains a Member of Parliament (MP).

In the interview with The Straits Times, she also said she is "heartbroken" by the Pakatan Harapan government's slow delivery of its promised reforms.

Her comments generated debate on social media, with some lauding her words and others taking potshots.

Prominent Malaysian lawyer N Surendran questioned the acceptability of Ms Nurul Izzah's comments.

"The timing, platform and manner is all wrong," said Mr Surendran on Twitter.

A former PKR vice-president himself, Mr Surendran was the MP of Malaysia for the Padang Serai constituency in the state of Kedah for one term from 2013 to 2018.

PKR deputy president and Minister of Economic Affairs Mohamed Azmin Ali was also critical, tweeting that the country needs “doers”, not “crybabies”.

But PKR MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stood up for Nurul Izzah, tweeting in response: “When a lady makes a stand, you call her a crybaby? Cheap, very cheap.” AGENCIES