IN a lengthy thank-you speech late yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the new government would keep its promise to make legal and constitutional reforms.

“We promise to set up a good government,” Dr Mahathir told a press conference at a hotel in Petaling Jaya.

“The government will be based on the constitution and the law of the country. We are particular that the constitution is upheld and that we are guided by the laws of the country.”

He also promised supporters that efforts would be made soonest possible to obtain a royal pardon for Anwar Ibrahim.

“We hope the king will expedite that. He (Anwar) will be free to indulge in politics as much as he wants.”

Dr Mahathir said individuals who were harassed and taxed by the Inland Revenue Board because they had donated to Pakatan Harapan would be “reimbursed”.

“We will study what they have paid and we would like to reimburse them.”

The Pakatan Harapan chairman thanked the people who had patiently waited for him outside the Istana Negara while his swearing-in was repeatedly delayed yesterday.

“What amazed us was the number of people who waited from 5pm until we came out from the palace. The enthusiasm was really fantastic, just as the crowd we attracted was never been seen in political history. The people who gathered were amazing.

“I would like to think the majority of the people of Malaysia who gave us courage and hope, which happens to the name of our party. The close relationship between the parties (promise) hope for the future.”

That brought him to the subject of Bersatu, the party he founded in 2015 : “I must claim a little bit (of credit) for my own party.

“It was formed only three years ago with very little hope, with only seven people as founding members. How could we take on BN? But as you know, we were able to form the coalition and they gave us strength and perhaps, we contributed some strength back.”

He said support for Pakatan Harapan saw “remarkable growth” as the election campaign progressed.

“Before Najib announced the dissolution of Parliament, we were attracting between five and eight thousand people (at PH events), but after he announced that he had dissolved Parliament… the number of people who turned up at times reached 40,000.

“Unfortunately some TV stations and some newspapers were unable to count past 200.”

Asked for how long he would lead the country, Dr Mahathir replied: “I’ll stay as long as my experience is needed. But not too long.” – May 11, 2018.