Tun M in PD to show support
PORT DICKSON: In what was a historic night in Port Dickson, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday shared the same campaign stage with his former nemesis-turned-ally Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the first time in 20 years.
Mahathir, who broke his tradition of not campaigning in by-elections, arrived in the coastal town here last night to appear alongside Anwar, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Port Dickson and the man to succeed him as the prime minister.
It was a telling gesture by the veteran statesman to campaign for the man he once put behind bars, and the announcement that he would be present was enough to pull in the crowds on a wet Monday night.
Thousands of supporters, many donning the red of Pakatan Harapan, braved the rain at the event at the Port Dickson Waterfront.
People began arriving at the tent area housing the mega ceramah as early as 7pm, with many others forced to stand outside under umbrellas.
Mahathir and Anwar, who arrived separately, shared a brief handshake before sitting next to each other on stage.
At the end of Mahathir’s speech, he and Anwar both held and raised their hands, to cheers from the crowd.
Other Cabinet members and PH leaders present included Anwar’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Aminuddin Harun.
In his speech, Anwar paid tribute to Mahathir, saying he was touched by the latter’s decision to put aside all their past problems for the sake of the country.
He added that he would leave the administration of the country as it is, even if he was to win the by-election on Oct 13.
“I love him as a leader. I have fought him, and now I accept he is the best man to lead Malaysia,” Anwar said.
Meanwhile, Mahathir said he and Anwar would not have been where they are today had they not forgiven each other and moved on for the betterment of Malaysia.