KUALA LUMPUR, Oct. 20 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said his attendance at national songstress Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza's concert recently was by special invitation and also in support of efforts to promote local arts, heritage and culture.

Responding to criticism from several quarters over his attendance, Anwar thanked them and said he accepted their views with an open heart, according to a report by national news agency Bernama today.

"I went because Siti Nurhaliza and her husband, Datuk K (Datuk Seri Khalid Mohamad Jiwa), really urged me to attend, although I arrived a little late... but I was criticised by several quarters. Thank you," he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Anwar was respon...