Dr M and Anwar showing support for each other after some 20 years
Tuesday, 9 Oct 2018
By Hemananthani Sivanandam, Rahimy Rahim, and Tarrance Tan
PORT DICKSON: Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shared the stage together during a political rally in support of the Port Dickson by-election candidate.
In a gesture that was received with shouts of joy from hundreds of supporters, both Dr Mahathir and Anwar stood on stage and shook hands after some 20 years.
Dr Mahathir said in his speech that he and Anwar have put their past differences behind them.
“Anwar and I were not in good terms (then).
“But don’t forget that he joined Umno and became a minister because of me.
“If we (Anwar and I) want to keep talking about the past, we would not have worked together,” said the Prime Minister.
Dr Mahathir, in asking voters to give their fullest support to Anwar, said their backing is important to help the country’s leaders to bring the nation forward.
He said the previous administration had left the nation in a perilous state and hoped every Malaysian will support Pakatan’s efforts to rebuild the country.
“I hope this by-election (win) will be given to Pakatan and Anwar. I hope we can work together.
“Not for Anwar, not for Dr Mahathir, or Mat Sabu or Guan Eng, but to work together for our beloved country, and for the Malaysians who entrusted us with this opportunity to rebuild the nation,” he said.
Dr Mahathir also said he was very happy to campaign for Anwar in his bid to return to Parliament.
Anwar, in his speech, said Dr Mahathir is the best man to lead the country at the moment, given the condition the country had been left behind by the previous administration.
In expressing his admiration towards his former arch nemesis, Anwar said he was willing to leave things in the past to reform the country and bring it to the right track.
“If you ask me if I want to administer the country in this situation, I can tell you that the best person to run it now is Tun Dr Mahathir.
“I am saying this with all sincerity. I love him as a father and a leader.
“Yes, I fought against him. But now I accept that he is the best man to lead Malaysia,” said Anwar to thunderous applause.
Thousands came for the ceramah despite a downpour earlier in the night to see Dr Mahathir and Anwar on stage together.
Among Cabinet members who attended the event were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Transport Minister Anthony Loke and Tan Sri Rais Yatim.
The mood was joyous as sounds from vuvuzela horns and cries of “reformasi” were heard from the crowd.
Prior to the arrivals of Dr Mahathir and Anwar, many politicians gave brief speeches to address the crowd of thousands of people here.
Organisers estimated the crowd at around 6,000 people.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/09/working-together-for-nation-dr-m-and-anwar-showing-support-for-each-other-after-some-20-years/#bTg460VcPbIsODxl.99
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