Anwar’s condition improves, expects to recover soon — Wan Azizah

SHAH ALAM: The condition of Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was admitted to the University of Malaya Medical Centre (PPUM) on Saturday night due to ailments relating to the right shoulder and back, has improved on Sunday morning.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said due to the good progress, her husband is expected to recover in the near future.

“I visited him this morning before attending the Selangor (government)’s open house today. Please continue the prayers… we are very thankful for all the prayers given,” she told reporters after attending the Selangor state Aidilfitri open house here yesterday.

Also present at the event were the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Permaisuri, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah.

Anwar was rushed to the PPUM due to shoulder and back pain after returning from Turkey on Saturday.

Anwar visited Turkey on Thursday at the invitation of the country’s leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdoðan.

He has been advised not to receive visitors as he undergoes the necessary treatment and observation.

The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, in a statement yesterday, said Anwar was undergoing follow-up treatment after he was admitted due to spasm in his shoulder.

“He is in stable condition and is currently resting.

“Datuk Seri Anwar, (Anwar’s wife) Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah and their family wish to thank all Malaysians for the prayers and concern received during this period,” said the statement.

The statement also clarified that Dr Wan Azizah, would be attending all her official engagements unless notified otherwise.

Meanwhile, asked to comment on the detention of lawyer Siti Zabedah Kassim or Siti Kassim on Saturday night for obstructing a civil servant from discharging his duties, Dr Wan Azizah said she would leave the matter to the police to investigate.

“I did not follow (the case). I will leave it to the police because I am busy with my husband as well,” she said.

Siti Kassim was arrested at the Kajang District Police headquarters at 12.40 am yesterday following a police report lodged by a woman who claimed that her 24-year-old daughter was ‘kidnapped’ by Siti, while undergoing psychiatric examination by a doctor at the Kajang Hospital last Thursday.

In the meantime, Dr Wan Azizah, who is also PH President, welcomed the decision by Bagai Serai Member of Parliament Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali who announced he was quitting Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) effective today.

Stating that it was the right of the MP to do so, the deputy prime minister said the PH welcomed any elected representatives who wanted to join the coalition to bring change to the country.

Asked whether PH would accept Noor Azmi if he wanted to join the alliance, Dr Wan Azizah said discussions on the matter would be forwarded to the Perak PH.

Announcing the decision in a press conference in Bagan Serai, Perak, Noor Azmi also pledged his support for Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, PH leaders and Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

The decision was made after taking into consideration the interests of the people and for the sake of religion, race and nation, he said.

Noor Azmi won the parliamentary seat on BN’s ticket with a 172-vote majority in the 14th General Election. - Bernama