JOHOR BARU: The call for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to be the next prime minister is a backward move which has been repeated over the past four general elections, Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said today.
"The opposition has been trying to appoint Anwar as prime minister since 1999. The world has changed a lot since then, so why do we need to look back on this issue?
"How are we, as a country, going to move forward when we continue to look backwards? The country needs to adjust and move with what is happening around it," said Shahrir.
He was commenting on a statement by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who said that Anwar should be released from jail and allowed to contest in the next general election. He also voiced his support for Anwar to become the next prime minister.
"The country continues to be well-managed and administered despite Anwar not being the prime minister, so let's just move forward. I pity the people of Malaysia for having to face this issue again and again," said Shahrir.
He was speaking to the media at his open house at the SJKC Foon Yew 1 hall here.