Anwar takes a dig at Najib, says he can better handle international media interest in MH370
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has said he is the most qualified individual to answer questions regarding the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370.
The PKR de facto leader said this was because Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, despite being the prime minister, was afraid to face the barrage of questions from the international media.
Anwar’s dig at Najib came following Najib’s statement last Saturday’s that evidence pointed to a deliberate diversion of the flight, given the controlled way it was turned around and flown far to the west, off its original route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.
He did not field any questions after announcing key changes in the search for the missing plane.
Anwar said the disappearance of MH370 with 12 crew members and 227 passengers on March 8 had put the country's leadership under a spotlight.
"They are weak and indecisive. But there is a silver lining. We can say that the management of the country, Malaysia's leadership is being tested.
"I am surprised why the entire world is saying Najib is not willing to go before the international media," Anwar said last night during a campaign speech in Kajang, ahead of the by-election on Sunday.
He was campaigning for his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is the Pakatan Rakyat candidate.
"Najib is only familiar with Utusan Malaysia and TV3," Anwar told a crowd of 300 PR supporters.
The Permatang Pauh MP said that Najib's evasion exposed his flaws and weaknesses.
"It is a weakness which has shocked the world," Anwar said.
In comparison, Anwar said, the international media was now more comfortable interviewing him because of his ability to handle questions related to MH370.
"Today at 3pm, more media are preparing to interview me. They said if they interviewed me, I answer their questions.
"If they interview Najib, he just gives statements. So it is better if I replaced him."
Anwar said in the midst of the MH370 crisis, everyone could see how unwieldy and disorganised the country's leadership was, especially the prime minister.
"In my opinion, Najib is no longer fit to lead Malaysia," he said.
"Because of Najib's weaknesses, Barisan Nasional's attempt to end my political career through the courts also failed when the international media began looking for an explanation into the incident.
"Now the roles have been reversed, instead of blanking me out, now all the international media want to interview me again.”
Later, Anwar told reporters that acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's was not consistent in his remarks about being "above politics" in handling the search.
"He said this was above politics but the briefing (last night’s) was only for Barisan Nasional MPs... I would say it is not consistent, he does not honour his commitment,” he said referring to the exclusive briefing for BN backbenchers at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur last night.
Anwar said reports linking him to the missing plane were unjust and an attempt to shame him as Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was a PKR life member.
Zaharie was in court when the Appeal Court reversed the opposition leader’s acquittal of sodomy and found him guilty of the act.
He said Subang MP R. Sivarasa was helping the family but PKR was wary of how it would be used by BN and Umno bloggers against PKR. – March 19, 2014.
