Johari: I love Anwar like a 'blood brother', he can take my seat

Another PKR lawmaker, Johari Abdul, said today that he would be willing to vacate his Sungai Petani parliamentary seat to allow party president Anwar Ibrahim to make his Dewan Rakyat return.

"I love him so much, he is like a blood brother (to me)," Johari told reporters when met at Parliament lobby.

When on the Sungai Kandis campaign trail, Anwar had hinted at another by-election for him to return to Parliament.

Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar said on Monday that they would not relinquish Pandan and Permatang Pauh for him.

Later that day, however, William Leong said he would be willing to give up his Selayang seat for Anwar.

Johari today denied any knowledge of a message circulating on social media that first brought up this ‘sacrifice’, but said he would step up if called upon by his party leader.

"Anyone can write this. It is not true – yet.

"We have yet to talk about it. If he calls me, I will make a decision, but he has not called me," he said.

When asked about speculation that many others in PKR would not vacate their seats, Johari said, "I am different from the many.”

He added that constituents of Sungai Petani would accept his decision, as they would be getting a “supremo” in return.

Johari also noted that the best time for Anwar to contest in a by-election would be by the end of this year, but said that it would depend on the condition of his health.

Anwar is slated to succeed Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad when the latter steps down.

Prior to the May 9 general election, Pakatan Harapan said that Mahathir would helm the nation for two years before passing the baton to Anwar.

However, Mahathir has since indicated that he might extend his tenure.

‘Discipline Bung’

Johari, who also chairs the government's backbencher council, also mooted disciplinary action against BN Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin for blurting out the ‘F-word’ in the Dewan Rakyat.

A group of school children, he said, were at the public gallery when Bung went on his obscenity-laden tirade.

Johari will be meeting Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof tomorrow, and said he is under immense pressure to take follow-up action against Bung despite the latter being his friend. - Mkini