Dr M contradicts Pakatan’s no toll hike stance

DR M has said that Malaysia's toll rates are 'one of the cheapest' and necessary, seemingly going against Pakatan's plans to abolish toll.

KUALA LUMPUR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s plan to meet jailed PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital (CRH) yesterday evening was met with disappointment.

Dr Mahathir claimed that he was barred from meeting Anwar.

“I was told that they (the hospital and Prison Department) were given a directive not allow me to meet with Anwar.

“Of course, I am unhappy (with the directive).

“I only wanted to see him (Anwar) to thank him for not objecting the decision to name me as candidate (for the prime minister’s post).

“Of course, Anwar has a long history of confrontation with me.

“It is not easy for him to accept (the decision), to achieve consensus to approve me as the Pakatan man who should hold the post as prime minister,” he said.

Dr Mahathir arrived at the hospital at 4.19pm and was accompanied by PPBM Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Present was PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is Anwar’s eldest daughter.

According to Nurul Izzah, Dr Mahathir had been planning to visit Anwar since her father underwent a shoulder surgery in November, following an accident.

“We knew that Dr Mahathir may not be allowed to visit Anwar but after a discussion with him, we tried to work it out.”

She said they tried to discuss the matter with the hospital authorities, but to no avail.

Pakatan secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah announced on Sunday that the opposition pact unanimously decided that Dr Mahathir would be the its candidate for the prime minister’s post and Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail as deputy prime minister should it take over Putrajaya in the election.