No rift between Anwar and Mahathir, says Saifuddin

(TMI) – PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s recent string of royal audiences are part of the veteran leader’s efforts to build and strengthen ties between the royal institution and the new Pakatan Harapan government, said PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Yesterday, Anwar was granted an audience with Pahang Regent Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, just a week after Anwar and his wife, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and eldest daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar flew to Kota Baru for an audience with Kelantan Regent Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra.

Shortly after his release from prison two weeks ago, Anwar, accompanied again by Nurul Izzah, had a two-hour-long audience with the Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Saifuddin said Anwar had explained the reason of his visits during the Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential meeting today.

“The visit was explained by Anwar in the meeting in the context that there is a need for the PH leadership to have an engagement with the royal Institution,” Saifuddin told The Malaysian Insight.

“Among the senior PH leaders, Anwar is seen to be the general leader and this is seen to be important because PH is a new government. Before this the royal institutions have only dealt with Barisan Nasional,” he said.

The string of royal audiences has sparked rumours of a rift between Anwar and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whose relationship with the royalty had been tense during his previous tenure.

Critics have also said Anwar appeared to be attempting to gain royal support for a takeover of the role of prime minister from Dr Mahathir.

Saifuddin shot down the rumours, saying that Anwar has received the approval of all his fellow PH leaders, including Dr Mahathir, in meeting the royals.

“The relationship of Anwar and Dr Mahathir is good. They have a close relationship because of their previous ups and downs together,” he said.