Nurul Izzah defends 'dictator' label on Dr M, says it is 'factually' correct

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 — Nurul Izzah Anwar has stood by her words in labelling Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad a ‘former dictator’, saying the title given by her was factually accurate.

Nurul Izzah had labelled Dr Mahathir a ‘dictator’ during a recent interview with Singapore daily The Strait Times, openly admitting the challenges she faced while working with the current prime minister.  

“It is factual from my record, I said it before the elections, and said it during the demonstrations in Bersih 3.0 or 4.0 I’m not sure.

“I don’t understand why saying it in a different forum, containing the same message is problematic,” she said during a press conference in Parliament today.

During the interview, Nurul Izzah had called Dr Mahathir a “former dictator who wreaked so much damage”, triggering controversy in the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

Dr Mahathir’s political secretary, Abu Bakar Yahya, yesterday described Nurul Izzah as immature, irrational and that she failed to understand Dr Mahathir’s position.

Dr Mahathir had also responded in kind yesterday, saying he was just as disappointed in those who said they were dissatisfied with him.

Nurul Izzah further said she had not meant any harm by her comments during the interview, saying she will continue to stand up for what she believes in.

“I did not mean any harm certainly, and God willing, to the best of my powers, (I will) continue to speak in favour of what is right and important,” she added.

Meanwhile, Nurul Izzah refused to comment further when asked if she would contest in the next general elections.

“I will cross the bridge when I reach it. I want to always contribute in any way I can, that's why I contested.

“I am a firm believer that we can certainly trigger change through different ways,” she said.

Nurul Izzah also revealed that she is actively involved in prison reforms and pilot projects within her Permatang Pauh constituency.

“Reform can be seen through many ways, and I have also spoken quite publicly about the prison reform that the country urgently needs, to defend the vulnerable, which perhaps has not been picked up (by news agencies),” she said.

Nurul Izzah also expressed her optimism towards the younger generation, urging them to push their boundaries to invoke positive changes for the country.

“I believe it is important for a lot of legislators and different stakeholders, especially the young ones, to keep pushing the envelope.

“We have to keep pushing the agenda forward and I am always an incorrigible optimist, but I think sometimes we just have to make our stance very clear,” she added.