Anwar: Azmin at Bersatu event not an issue, party members can judge

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has downplayed the significance of his deputy Mohamed Azmin Ali attending a Bersatu function, adding that it was up to party members to judge the loyalty of their leaders.

"There is no problem, he attended when invited. We can attend but the party and members can evaluate the loyalty of that leader to the party.

"I don't think the problem arises," he told journalists in Kuching today.

Anwar was asked to comment about Azmin's presence at a prayer event last Thursday to commemorate Bersatu's third anniversary.

He was also asked about Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's statement that Bersatu may consider if Azmin submitted an application to join the party. Mahathir is Bersatu chairperson.

Anwar noted that other leaders from his party were also present at Thursday's function. The Port Dickson MP said likewise he, too, had attended Bersatu functions before.

"I was present during Bersatu's annual general assembly. Not this function, I'm not sure if I was invited.

"But there is no problem in attending. Other leaders attended too," he said.

On a separate matter, Anwar said he was satisfied with Pakatan Harapan's preparations in Sarawak for the coming state election which was due in 2021.

"We don't know when the state election will be exactly but we have asked them to prepare the machinery and focus on their work," he said.

He said the grassroots were advised not to be sidetracked by petty issues and to focus on the people's immediate concerns such as the cost of living, welfare programmes, housing, education and basic facilities.