‘ANWAR CAN RETURN PD TO FORMER GLORY’
If Anwar becomes prime minister, PD can become the next Langkawi, says former MP
THE seaside town of Port Dickson will reclaim its former glory as a popular tourist destination if prime minister-in-waiting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim wins the by-election.
Its former member of parliament, Datuk Seri Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, who vacated the seat for Anwar, said the town could be the next Langkawi.
“Like Langkawi, Port Dickson can become a famous tourist destination, after Anwar takes over. When he becomes prime minister, he can develop this area to international standards.
“You will see the difference,” he said at the PKR war room here yesterday.
He said he believed Anwar was the answer to the town’s unresolved problems, from national to municipal issues.
“We’ve identified major issues here. That’s why we want the future prime minister to come here and try to correct these shortcomings. If he is elected, he will go to Parliament and push for projects to be hastened.
“Even though we have a highway, many places are not well connected. Rural roads are not good enough.”
Other issues, he said, included insufficient streetlights at beaches, jetties and ports, poor drainage and abandoned projects.
Anwar pledged to preserve the goodwill among all races, in line with the nation’s multiethnic and religious landscape.
He said it was important to preserve interracial harmony, as well as respect religious differences to ensure that the nation’s peace and stability would last.
“Recently, there were those who questioned my going into a temple.
“I’d like to put it on record for Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang that I have also been to churches.
“We were checking on a church that was damaged after someone threw a molotov cocktail into it.
“So what is the problem? If we go to temples or places of worship for Sikhs or Christians, we are showing respect.
“What we can’t compromise on is our beliefs...
“We can’t follow their practices or pray like them. There are restrictions, but we must still respect them.”
He was responding to Hadi’s claims that Anwar was an inconsistent Muslim.
Hadi had described Anwar as someone who was an Islamic cleric in the mosque, but, when in temples, was willing to dress up like and dance with practitioners of other faiths.
Anwar said the issue should not be prolonged as he used to be on friendly terms with Pas.
“I come here not to fight with other parties, as Pas was once our friend. Parti Amanah Negara vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar was once Pas vice-president. So there is no problem.”
“What is important is that my presence here is to bring an agenda for the people of Port Dickson.
“I am moved when I come here and see Malays, Chinese, Indians and Sikhs giving me a rousing welcome.”