TANJONG KARANG: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said he will furnish the proof that he had signed the loan waiver scheme for Felda settlers.
This was after former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin challenged him to furnish the document which he had purportedly signed to approve the loan waiver.
"I'll provide the proof. No problem at all (to do so).
"I signed it (the loan waiver) of RM990 million on June 27. He (Muhyiddin) did not do his job, hence he was not aware of it.
"He (Muhyiddin) challenged me, asking me to furnish the proof that I have signed it. He will then have to apologise.
"This is the problem with politicians... simply accuse people of lying, only after that asking for proof.
"Insya-Allah, before I leave for Vietnam, I'll ask the Treasury secretary-general to provide the proof.
"After that, he should apologise openly," he told reporters after attending Majlis Sambutan Maal Hijrah Perpaduan Tanjong Karang held at Kampung Raja Musa today.
Present was Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Earlier, it was reported that Muhyiddin had issued Anwar a letter of demand over the latter's claim that the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government did not write off RM8.3 billion in loans granted to Felda settlers.
The letter of demand, dated July 18, demanded Anwar to retract his statement within 24 hours and issue an apology, or the premier would be sued.
At a Felda event on July 7, Anwar said Muhyiddin's administration announced that it would write off RM8.3 billion in loans granted to Felda settlers, but the move was never implemented.
The next day, the prime minister stood firm on his statement.
While Anwar acknowledged that there was an agreement to waive the Felda settlers' debt, the allocation was not tabled in the national budgets of 2021 and 2022 when PN was in power.
Anwar added that it was only during the 2023 Budget, under the Madani government last November that the allocation was included.
Anwar said the government had channelled RM990 million initial allocation to write off the Felda debts, which in total amounted to RM8.3 billion.
Meanwhile, in his speech earlier, Anwar gave his assurance that he will not be a cruel leader, as he knows what it is like to be in prison.
Referring to the recent development involving Kedah caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Anwar reiterated that the prosecution was appropriate as it involves the royal institution which must be upheld and protected.
"The monarchs are above politics. They are not party leaders, but the state leaders (of their respective state) or head of the country.
"If he feels that he did not insult (the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah), he can answer that in court."
He said following Sultan Sharafuddin's decree that the issue of Sanusi at a recent ceramah has yet to be resolved, hence the matter must be resolved by the police.
"Hence, the action was taken by the police. If I have doubts about the case, I'll summon the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and ask about it.
"As a prime minister, I'll do that. I will not be cruel to anyone.
"Be it people from Pas or Bersatu, please do not worry because I will not be (a) cruel (leader), because I know what it is like to be in prison."