Anwar attends Pak Lah’s open house

KEPALA BATAS: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail made a surprise visit to the Prime Minister's open house at Dewan Milenium here yesterday. 

Anwar, who arrived at 10am, exchanged Hari Raya greetings and chatted with Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for nearly 40 minutes. 

“This is my first Hari Raya in six years, so it means a lot to me,” he told reporters later. 

Anwar sat next to Abdullah at a dining table at the foyer while Dr Wan Azizah sat with Abdullah's wife Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood and the wives of other dignitaries. 

SPIRIT OF RAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi discussing a point withDatuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (left) at Abdullah’s open house at Dewan Milenium in Kepala Batas,Penang, yesterday. With them are Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud (thirdfrom right), Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (second from right) and SarawakDeputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan (right).

Joining them were Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon and Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.  

Speaking to reporters at his open house in Cherok Tok Kun in Bukit Mertajam later, Anwar said: “I did not expect to be given such a warm greeting by the Prime Minister when I got there. The treatment rendered to me was more like one given to a friend. 

“My wife and I merely wanted to wish Pak Lah Selamat Hari Raya as we could not attend his open house in Putrajaya.''  

Asked if he had discussed politics with the Prime Minister, Anwar said his visit was to foster goodwill.