PORT DICKSON 8/10/2018. Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir arrive as he attend the Ceramah Mega for Pakatan Harapan candidate Port Dickson parliamentary by-election Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at Port Dickson. MALAYMAIL/Azneal Ishak.
PORT DICKSON – With just days to go before polling day for the Port Dickson by-election, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tonight publicly stumped for his former political nemesis Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The historic moment was witnessed by thousands of attendees at the Pakatan Harapan (PH) ceramah here, where the prime minister expressed his joy at being present and being able to campaign for Anwar.
“I hope this victory can be given to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim so we can work, not for him, not for Tun Mahathir, not for Mat Sabu (Mohamad Sabu) or Lim Guan Eng.
“But to work for the country we love and for the people who gave us, Pakatan Harapan, a chance to govern the country,” he said during the ceramah at the Port Dickson waterfront this evening.
The occasion also marked the first time in 20 years that Dr Mahathir and Anwar have shared the same stage.
Dr Mahathir, in a light-hearted gesture, also reminded those present of his role in Anwar’s political career, hinting he was the reason behind the latter’s rise to power.
“It is true me and Anwar were not on good terms; even when he entered Umno and became a minister, it was because of me.
“But if I want to keep talking about those things and Anwar about what he has gone through, we cannot end up working together.
“Even the rest, like Mat Sabu and Lim Guan Eng, had also entered (prison), but they are willing to forget the past to work together and achieve the same objectives,” he said.
Meanwhile, when delivering his speech, Anwar took the chance to declare his adoration of Dr Mahathir, expressing how happy he felt sharing the stage with an “old friend” after 20 years.
“We went against each other in the past for a long time, then ended up working together.
“He truly is an icon who can look beyond past differences and problems to fight today for the same objectives,” said Anwar.
The PKR president-elect then also declared how he felt Dr Mahathir was the best person to govern the country after the damage that was done by the previous administration.
He claimed the Barisan Nasional government under the leadership of Datuk Seri Najib Razak had spoilt the local institutions, and that Dr Mahathir was the correct person to right the wrongs.
“With all humility, I will admit I love him (Dr Mahathir) as a father and as a leader, and I now accept he is the best man to lead Malaysia,” he said.
Anwar again paid homage to Dr Mahathir, saying the love he has for the prime minister was reignited when they decided to work together in PH.
“The love I had for him has been reignited and I want to personally thank him for coming down.
“He is a hard man, where every decision is done for the betterment of the nation, and for that, I salute you sir,” said Anwar to resounding applause from the crowd.
Anwar is in a seven-cornered fight for the Port Dickson parliamentary seat in Negri Sembilan.
Thousands come out for Dr M’s historic stump for Anwar in PD
Braving the rain with their umbrellas, eager supporters were not the only ones who came out for the ceramah, as clothes, food and book vendors had also set up shop along the adjacent sidewalks, attracting crowds throughout the evening.
Motivated by the many speeches made during the ceramah, with speakers ranging from Transport Minister Anthony Loke to Parti Amanah Negara chairman and Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu, those present were constantly kept in high spirits.
Local voters here expressed their anticipation of witnessing possibly a historic moment of Dr Mahathir stumping for Anwar, amid speculation of “quarrels” between the two that the prime minister said had motivated him to campaign for his successor.
Some also related how watching Dr Mahathir declare public support for Anwar was the equivalent of checking off one of Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) manifesto promises, which had declared Anwar as the prime minister-in-waiting.
Some had even come from as far away as Alor Gajah, Melaka. Lorry driver S. Vijayan, 45, made the trip just to witness Dr Mahathir and Anwar share the same stage.
“Even though I am not a voter here, but considering their history since 1998, I had to come and see it for myself.
“Yes, I am excited to witness it, as it’s something I never thought I would see happen,” he said.
Anwar, then finance and deputy prime minister, was fired by Dr Mahathir in 1997 and convicted a year later for sodomy.
Local boy and technician Azwan Samsuri, 32, said he felt it was a good move for Dr Mahathir to come down to the ground during the campaign as it instilled voter confidence in the integrity of the PH government.
“It is good, but the prime minister has to follow their manifesto promises, so this is them fulfilling one of them,” he said.
Azman, when asked, felt the independent candidates did not stand a chance in the by-election, insisting at least five of the seven candidates would lose their deposits.
“There are many rumours going around to discourage voters from even coming out to vote, but realistically, I feel the winner is going to be very obvious. The rest are fighting a losing battle,” he said, referring to Anwar’s chances.
Fellow local voter only identified as Azhar, 32, said he was excited to see history in the making, something the nation has been waiting for at least 20 years to witness.
“I hope Anwar won’t just win, but win big in this by-election as we have been waiting for so long to have him back in government, as promised during the general election campaign,” he said.
Dr Mahathir arrived at the Port Dickson waterfront at 10.10pm.
Anwar is in a seven-cornered fight for the Port Dickson parliamentary seat in Negri Sembilan.
– Malay Mail
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