“This is the difference between the current and former governments, where we allow and respect freedom of expression,” Kadir told reporters at the National Expert Consultation for freedom of expression and hate speech here.

He said the current government has no problem allowing even members of the ruling party to criticise Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, adding that people can always vote the coalition out at the next general election.

“But as it stands today, unless we do something, the choices we have are not great,” Kadir added.

His comments come after a scathing attack on Mahathir by veteran PKR leader Syed Husin Ali, who accused the prime minister of failing to govern the country.

Syed Husin had also lashed out at Mahathir over the latter’s comments in New York last week, in which the prime minister said he would need at the most three years more to remain in the top post.

Kadir today said Mahathir has repeatedly assured that he would keep his promise to hand over power to Anwar.

“This is between Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim,” he added.

Editor’s note: This report has been amended from an earlier version.