Anwar: Dr M is committed to reforms, unlike Mugabe

Dr Mahathir Mohamad is not like former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said of his nemesis-turned-ally.

Unlike Mugabe, he added, Mahathir is committed to reforms.

Anwar made the comment when asked by reporters outside the Kuala Lumpur High Court today on whether Mahathir, as the leader of Pakatan Harapan, was committed to the coalition's reform agenda, amid fears that he would return to his old ways.

"Mahathir is prepared to change. He has been maligned enough by the government," Anwar said.

Mahathir pulled Anwar (photo) from the Muslim Youth Movement (Abim) into Umno in 1982, where he rose within the party ranks to become the deputy president, and later the deputy prime minister.

The PKR de facto leader also held several ministerial posts, such youth and sports, education and finance under Mahathir's administration, before his fall from grace in 1998 when he was sacked from Umno.

Mahathir, 92, is trying to make a comeback by unseating Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in the next general election.

He is Harapan's choice as PM-designate should the opposition coalition win the 14th general election.

Mahathir is helming Harapan as its chairperson and he is also chairperson of Umno splinter party Bersatu.

Today, Justice Nik Hasmat Nik Mohamad allowed Anwar to address the court on the government's bid to strike out his latest attempt to set aside his sodomy conviction, which Anwar claims was carried out by fraudulent means.

The opposition leader said that the court had heard a lengthy submission on the matter, and he wanted an opportunity to state his case and disallow the government's striking out application.

"Millions of ringgit have allegedly been transferred to an appointed prosecutor to secure my conviction. Hence, I should be given an opportunity to put forward my case," Anwar said, adding that it should be allowed to be heard on its merits.- Mkini