Despite his limited time at the Penang High Court today, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim managed to share some light moments with his supporters in the public gallery.
"I miss Penang especially the nasi kandar and pasembor," he told the small crowd gathered at Court Room 4.
His wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and daughter Nurul Izzah was in court as well.
Reporters were warned not to ask him any questions beyond the court case, to which Anwar replied: "Go ahead, ask. There is no law against asking questions."
"However, I cannot guarantee what will happen to you later after you ask questions," he said jokingly.
Anwar was in good spirit, sporting a black suit and white shirt but looked as though he has lost more weight.
Again, Anwar joked about how there was "more harassment, less food" if he spoke to reporters during court appearances.
"See how much weight I have lost," he quipped, tapping his flat tummy.
Agenda, not person important as PM
When asked on the recent survey which showed respondents favouring Dr Mahathir Mohamad over Anwar as prime minister, the latter seemed unperturbed.
"The person is not important but the agenda is... The agenda of reform, democracy, justice and independence of the judiciary, that is what is most important, not who becomes PM."
Anwar was approached before Penang High Court judge Rosilah Yop entered the courtroom for lawyer Ranjit Singh Mahinder Singh to read his apology to the former opposition leader for articles published in The New Straits Times in 2013.
Anwar had sued Ranjit, NST and its two reporters over two articles which implied he was a dishonest politician allegedly involved in money laundering.
He had also claimed that the articles accused him of paying the late Karpal Singh RM50 million to manipulate judges.
The NST and its reporters Looi Sue-Chern and Adrian Lai, have agreed that the article titled "Prove you have nothing to hide" published on Aug 6, 2013, was baseless.
The English language daily will pay Anwar RM60,000 in costs and publish Ranjit's apology tomorrow.
'Guan Eng the best CM'
Anwar managed to speak to his supporters and Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng for about 10 minutes before the court went into session.
He told his supporters that Lim was the best chief minister for Penang and they must give him the full support.
"Just jail me enough, do not jail Lim, Rafizi (Ramli) or others," said Anwar.
He was referring to PKR Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli who was recently sentenced to 18-month jail under the Official Secrets Act.
Anwar also threw his support for the appointment of Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as strategic advisor to the chief minister.
"He will be able to contribute to Penang," Anwar said.
Before leaving the court at about 4.30pm, Anwar asked if he could return to Sungai Buloh through Permatang Pauh, his former constituency.
About 100 supporters chanted "reformasi" as Anwar waved at them from a police car.- Mkini
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