It’s OK to question but don’t be defamatory, Anwar says after shoes raise eyebrows online

PETALING JAYA: It is all right to question but do not be defamatory, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic) after a picture of his leather shoes raised questions on Twitter.

The 10th Prime Minister said in a tweet that the shoes were a gift from Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar two years ago.

“It’s fine if you want to question me, but don’t bring in a defamatory narrative,” he said in his Tuesday (Nov 29) tweet.

A Twitter user had earlier made a sarcastic statement that although Anwar refused to use a Mercedes S600 for official business, he was seen wearing luxury branded shoes.

On Sunday (Nov 27), Anwar announced that he would not use the car, which was recently acquired by the Prime Minister’s Department, but would instead use whatever vehicles were available for daily use.

Anwar said this was because he did not want any new expenses to be incurred on his behalf.

In July, Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi also acknowledged that a pair of shoes he was seen using were a gift from the Johor Ruler.

In a short Facebook post, he said Sultan Ibrahim had given such gifts to past members of the state executive council and civil servants in an effort to motivate them to do their best for the rakyat.

“Baseless accusations and attacks should be stopped immediately,” he said.

Onn Hafiz’s reply came hours after a social media user highlighted the shoes being used by the Mentri Besar.