The fight is still on, Anwar and Dr M say in joint statement

Pakatan Harapan is not letting up after it was ousted from the federal government, said PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and Bersatu chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The joint statement in conjunction with the second anniversary of the May 9 general election, came amid questions about whether Harapan is still willing to work with Mahathir after his party left the coalition.

"Two years ago, the people of all religions and races helped us through donations and contributions, their voices and suggestions, hope and spirit, to see change for the better in our beloved country.

"Two years ago, we did not give up in championing the people's voice and it remains the same today and it still burns in every youth who dreams of reform.

"The time has come for us to rise again and return the people's mandate to the rightful party," they said in the joint statement.

In the 2018 general election, Harapan ended BN's 61 years in power amid grand corruption allegations against then prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

However, the Harapan government only lasted for 21 months after Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin took his party out of the coalition and joined forces with a group of PKR defectors led by former PKR deputy president Azmin Ali.

Together, they recruited BN, PAS, GPS and other minor parties to form the new Perikatan Nasional government.

Bersatu is presently split between Mahathir's faction and party president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Mahathir had indicated he plans to wrest back control of the party in the next Bersatu election and withdraw the party from the PN government.

"Never forget the sacred date of May 9, 2018. It was the date when kleptocracy fell. It was the date of the people's victory. It was the birth of Malaysia Baru.

"May 9, 2018, was not about Mahathir and Anwar coming together. It was about the people's fate and future in the fight against injustices," they said.

Anwar and Mahathir said Harapan sought to restore the rule of law and democracy by empowering Parliament and reforming government institutions when it was in power.

They added the Harapan government had also pushed for equitable treatment of all states and put its focus on youths.

However, the duo said reforms and the economy are now stalled by those who sought to bring down the Harapan government.

"The current (PN) government is willing to do anything to consolidate power. Senior positions are being distributed.

"Considering this situation, we cannot recognise the current government. Our position is clear from day one, this government does not have the people's mandate.

"It did not come into power through the ballot paper. It was solely based on greed for positions," they said.

As such, Anwar and Mahathir said they won't give up and will fight on. - Mkini