PD POLLS | Anwar Ibrahim has called on those who are dissatisfied with his royal pardon to challenge him in the Port Dickson by-election instead of the courtroom.
"Why take this to the courts?
“Fight! Fight me here! Ask the people of Port Dickson if they support me or not, you (the voters) have the power," he added.
The PKR president-elect was commenting on PAS questioning his eligibility to contest in the by-election in relation to the status of the pardon granted to him after the 14th general election.
"Don't take the by-election lightly. This is not just any election. The by-election will determine the support for the government and state, and the (voters') confidence in me.
"So I ask you, my friends, if you do not support me, then I cannot offer myself as your parliamentarian or as the future prime minister," Anwar said to more than 600 people during a programme organised for Indian voters in the Lukut state constituency at Bandar Springhill last night.
Also in attendance were Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu and Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution.
PAS' criticism came following the recent court filing by a Port Dickson voter seeking to invalidate the royal pardon and disqualify Anwar from participating in the Oct 13 by-election.
The voter, Noraziah Mohd Shariff, 38, filed the motion with the High Court Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Noraziah is seeking a court declaration that the pardon issued to Anwar by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was defective on grounds that the Federal Territories Pardons Board advised the ruler to do so in an unconstitutional manner. However, despite also having filed a certificate for urgency, a hearing date has not been set.
Following this, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan (photo) is reported to have said yesterday that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had only granted Anwar a full pardon and not a free pardon.
Meanwhile, Anwar claimed that various quarters were attempting to weaken him.
"It never ends, with this story and that... over 20 years, we have struggled and they still want to hold us back. Now, in court, we must answer again. They (the critics) say the Agong was wrong (when issuing the pardon), and that it was not a signed free pardon... all just to keep me from contesting.
"But since it is brought to court, we must fight in court. I've been free for just four months, suffered for so long, still they want to hold me back. No! No! No!" he added.
Anwar also reiterated that he was not in a rush to become prime minister should he win in the coming by-election.
"I want to be in Parliament to help Dr Mahathir (Mohamad), and not hasten my becoming prime minister. Why is everyone so anxious? They claim Mahathir wants to prevent me (from becoming PM), and others say I want to get to Parliament to get rid of Mahathir, but both of these statements are inaccurate.
"I am one of the main leaders in Pakatan Harapan, my friends Mat (Mohamad) Sabu, (DAP secretary-general) Lim Guan Eng, Saifuddin (Nasution) are all in Parliament, so what is wrong if I am in Parliament?" he asked.
During the event, Anwar also danced with a local artist to a classic 70s Tamil hit by Indian acting legend MGR. - Mkini
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