This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on March 27, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated his support for Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his government, following a remark by Permatang Pauh member of parliament (MP) Nurul Izzah Anwar, his daughter, to a Singapore daily that she is dissatisfied with Pakatan Harapan’s governance.

Responding to reporters’ questions at the Parliament lobby yesterday, Anwar, also Port Dickson MP, said Pakatan leaders unanimously support Dr Mahathir’s efforts in fixing the country.

However, he said this does not mean there will be no differences of opinion.

“Our stand, including myself and my family, is to provide space for and support to Tun Mahathir as the leader and prime minister,” he said.

Anwar defended Nurul Izzah, saying he understands the context of her comments and that The Straits Times may have exaggerated her remarks.

On Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s comments on Twitter, referring to Nurul Izzah as a “cry baby”, Anwar said Mohamed Azmin needs to “cool down” and focus on central issues.

Last Friday, The Straits Times published an interview with Nurul Izzah where she mentioned being “broken-hearted” having to work with Dr Mahathir again, referring him as a “former dictator”.

She added that she would be serving her final term as an MP because of her disappointment with  Pakatan’s current performance.

Nurul Izzah told a press conference in Parliament that she  had been consistent on the matter even before contesting in the 14th general election on May 9 last year.

In her interview with The Straits Times, Nurul Izzah also voiced unhappiness over the pace of reforms that Pakatan is currently taking.