Zuraida, who is also a former minister, said Anwar was considered an “energetic and sharp” leader when he was part of Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Cabinet in the 1980s.

Anwar was the youth and sports minister in 1983, the agriculture minister in 1984, and the education minister from 1986 to 1991.

However, she said, Anwar may have been worn down by the “never-ending political drama”.

“But it is unreasonable to describe his government as inexperienced as the Cabinet comprises those who have served in previous governments,” she said, referring to deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in particular.

Zuraida was responding to Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim’s statement yesterday comparing Anwar’s administration to an infant that had not learnt how to walk.

Hassan had said this when pleading with the public to be patient and to give Anwar time to resolve issues inherited from the previous governments.

Zuraida said Anwar had to fulfil the promises he had made as the rakyat would demand for them to be implemented.