PETALING JAYA: The government and the opposition should work together in order to resolve the current issues, says Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

He supports Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s effort to fight corruption, but holds the view that the government should focus on resolving matters related to national interest and the people’s livelihood.

“If you have detained 80 former ministers and charge them, it is pointless when the real issues are livelihood, education, medical and economic matters which need to be prioritized,” he said.

In an exclusive interview with Sin Chew Daily, Ahmad Faizal said six months after the Anwar-led government took over Putrajaya, the cost of living and prices of goods remained high.

“If you continue to prosecute, the issues will remain. If you attack someone, they will respond. The political temperature will continue to surge. How are you going to resolve these issues? You can’t!

“The only way to resolve the issues is to collaborate with the opposition. This is my point,” he said.

Ahmad Faizal said he used to advise people, when he was Perak menteri besar under the Pakatan Harapan administration, not to keep talking about politics once they came to power, but to help the people regardless of race, religion and political background.

Citing an example, he said, “I do not like Anwar to be the prime minister but he is still our prime minister. Do you want me to go on street protest every day or put up a hunger strike? That is pointless?” he said.