Anwar downplays RPK attack

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has brushed aside criticism levelled against him by former opposition strongman and ally Raja Petra Kamarudin (RPK).

"I don't usually comment on attacks like these... coming close to elections like the Sarawak polls... carried out by individuals using Umno media,” he told a press conference at PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya today.

"I’ve known him for long, 10 years now. And he has never broached the subject (face to face) with me. I’ve known him since I was imprisoned. He has helped us a lot, for which I thank him.

"But he was afraid of going to jail and he fled to London... I never had words with him since he supported BN in the Sarawak polls," elaborated the Permatang Pauh MP.

Anwar also relayed Pakatan’s approval of the “small changes” being proposed by the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reforms and endorsed by the government.

However, he added that more reforms were needed. In particular, he said, that Pakatan, in line with the PSC, wants to see more space given to opposition candidates on the mainstream media during the polls.

He added that Pakatan will also propose to the PSC for an independent (TV) channel operated by the Election Commission to ensure transparent coverage during an election.

Pakatan, he said, is still very much concerned with the fact that the electoral roll “can change” at the last minute and will press for measures to “clean” the rolls.