KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — Padang Rengas Umno division chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz reportedly questioned why there are those who wish to see the demise of the government that opposes corruption.

He told Astro Awani that those wishing to topple the government of the day are protecting corrupt activities in the country as he had heard claims that the Opposition has become united due to its unease with Anwar’s efforts in combating corruption.

“The public have informed me that if [Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim] had not pressed the issue of corruption, they (Opposition) would be divided but because Anwar opposes corruption, that is what united the Opposition,” the Padang Rengas MP was quoted as saying.

The former tourism, arts and culture minister reportedly added that the words accusing the Opposition of uniting to reject Anwar’s anti-corruption measures did not come from him, but that is what he was told.

He also expressed his opinion that the parties that make up the Opposition are currently completely engaged in efforts to topple the unity government as they intend for Anwar’s fight against corruption to fail.

“This is what I think is the main reason why the Opposition is determined to topple the government of the day.

“It is because, to me there is a fear that they will be brought to court on corruption charges,” he was quoted as saying.

These actions by the Opposition parties prove that they do not fight for the people but instead fight for their personal interests, he reportedly added.

Earlier this year, Mohamed Nazri faced public backlash over his appointment as the new Malaysian ambassador to the United States.

He responded by saying that he is open to not receiving a salary for his appointment as he “had a little money” and is willing to do the job for its own sake.

Nazri also confirmed that his name was put up for the ambassador role when Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was prime minister — with his name being proposed to the US in April last year, and the US accepted that in September.