PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim took the opportunity to express gratitude to Recep Tayyip Erdogan for extending support during difficult times when others failed him.
A clearly touched Anwar, who was in the midst of his welcome address, changed his tone when reminiscing on his past interactions with Erdogan.
"It would be remiss if I did not speak of my own friendship Erdogan and Emina, a friendship built not on convenience, but on steadfast solidarity.
"During times of personal and long period of adversity, brother Erdogan and sister Emina extended a hand to me, Wan Azizah and my family when many turned away," Anwar said in his welcoming address before Erdogan's public lecture at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) here on Monday (Feb 10).
He pointed out that Erdogan's support during the difficult time was not done casually or for political expedience.
"No, it was an expression of genuine fraternity.
"Wan Azizah and I have never forgotten it, and we the people of Malaysia never will," he said to thunderous applause from the hall.
In 2008, Anwar sought refuge at the Turkish embassy due to fears of safety concerns following sodomy accusations were levelled against him.
In 2015, Anwar was jailed for five years following the accusation of sodomy, a charge he vehemently described as politically motivated to end his political career.
In 2018, Anwar was granted a full royal pardon.
Meanwhile, Anwar said that Erdogan's visit to Malaysia reaffirms the strong, ensuring and forward-looking partnership between the two nations.
