PKR has already moved on from being an Anwar-centric party towards dealing with bigger issues, said Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Azmin Ali.

He said this in an interview published in Sinar Harian today, when asked whether Pakatan Rakyat’s struggles would be affected if PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is sent to jail.

“That assumption is absolutely not true,” he replied, “Yes, we fought for Anwar in the beginning but after that we talked about big issues such as justice for the people.”

Anwar has been sentenced to five-year term of imprisonment early this year for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Claiming that the charges are politically motivated, Anwar’s appeal to the Federal Court is due to be heard next Tuesday.

On a another matter, Azmin denied that that his administration is being controlled by Anwar from behind the scenes.

He said that while he is tied to Pakatan Rakyat’s policy framework since the coalition had been voted into power on basis of its promises, there had been no outside interference since he took power a month ago.

“I strongly believe that Anwar also wants me to be an effective menteri besar because my experience with him for 30 years has taught me to be a strong and effective leader.

“I also believe that Anwar wants me to take the same stance in administering Selangor,” he added, stressing that the state executive council he chairs makes its decisions based on needs and the fact available.


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