Mahathir-Anwar combo good for Malaysia, says Azmin

KUALA LUMPUR: The joint forces of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as experienced leaders in the Pakatan Harapan government will make a great combination to drive the country forward, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.

The Economic Affairs Minister said that Anwar's return to Parliament would make the debates livelier and that the newly-minted Port Dickson MP would be able to contribute valuable views that could further strengthen the Pakatan government in carrying out its duties to the rakyat.

“For me and my friends in Parliament, we are grateful and happy to see that Anwar is back in Parliament and having taken his oath as a lawmaker.

“I believe that the teaming up and the combination of Dr Mahathir and Anwar would restore Malaysia to a country that is strong and fair to all Malaysians in bringing about development and progress,” he said when met at the Parliament lobby on Monday (Oct 15).

Although Pakatan was happy with its performance in the recently concluded Port Dickson by-election, the government needed stronger support from its leaders who are experienced and have a good working record, said Azmin, referring to Dr Mahathir and Anwar.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, when met at the Parliament lobby, regarded Anwar's return to the august House as a historic moment, saying that the 71-year-old will play a prominent role in carrying out reforms in Parliament.

“(Parliamentary reforms) are among our pledges in Pakatan's manifesto. We will implement this and we hope that the Parliament will be strengthened and the people will be more confident on what will be passed in Parliament in future,” he said.

“I also believe that Pakatan MPs are ready to assist (Anwar) because this is about the Parliament and we should work towards improving Parliament,” he added.

In the Port Dickson by-election on Oct 13, Anwar won with a 23,560 vote majority despite a low voter turnout of 58%.

He had outperformed Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, who vacated the Port Dickson seat for Anwar, which he won with a 17,710 majority in GE14 that saw a 84% voter turnout.