'I am not anyone's puppet' - Anwar

PUTRAJAYA - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim insists that he is not a puppet and bows to DAP.

On the other hand, he said the parties in the Unity Government were important partners in maintaining harmony.

"I am the PM, I am not anyone's puppet.

“I will be 76 years old, I cannot be bought with money," he said during his speech at the launch of the ‘Adab Perbezaan Pendapat Dalam Islam’ book at the Islamic Complex here on Tuesday.

He said that previous leaders should blame themselves for their failure to improve the economy of the Malays.

"If you fail, you led those decades, it is your fault. Not your supporters," he said.

Anwar said that the time has come for his leadership to continue to be given opportunities to govern the country.

"I believe we will get the mandate and trust to continue the agenda of honoring religion, race and country," he said.

He said the Madani Government today would raise the glory (syiar) of Islam without marginalising the rights and justice of non-Muslims.

"As a Muslim, of course, there is a responsibility, but I also know that as a leader, I will defend (Malay, Islamic) rights," he said.

In the meantime, Anwar was determined not to allow any minister to abuse power to take away the people's rights.

"As long as I am entrusted as a leader, I will not allow ministers, including the Finance Minister and the Prime Minister, to abuse their power.

"The past, let it be. When talking about history, many people are involved, and trying to find (someone) with a clean record is difficult.

"There are many who said they are clean but there are also many corrupts. So, I will use this power," he said.