Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, has dismissed the upcoming ‘Turun Anwar’ protest as a political ploy by a ‘small group’ seeking to maintain relevance. He asserted that the demonstration, scheduled to take place in the federal capital on July 26, is not a genuine expression of public discontent as claimed by its organisers.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shamsul Iskandar stated that the protest is not representative of the public’s will and is instead a reaction from a faction attempting to reverse the outcome they could not achieve through the electoral process. Speaking at the National Economic Forum, he emphasized that the government was elected through a free and fair election and has been diligently addressing issues left by previous administrations, such as institutional decay and fiscal mismanagement.

He urged those seeking change to participate in future elections, emphasizing the importance of democratic processes over protests. Shamsul Iskandar highlighted the need for maturity, unity, and effective governance in Malaysia, rather than distractions and divisive actions.

Further, he underscored the necessity of wise leadership, focused on long-term goals rather than short-term popularity. He praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership style as being principled and service-oriented, prioritizing institutional rebuilding and trust.

Shamsul Iskandar also pointed to Anwar’s diplomatic achievements, noting his role as ASEAN Chair, which recently facilitated a gathering of top diplomats from the United States, China, and Russia in Kuala Lumpur, marking a significant diplomatic success for the nation.