IN his first visit home since becoming a free man, Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute to his home state and old stronghold Permatang Pauh.

In his speech at a rally celebrating his return in Seberang Jaya last night, the Pakatan Harapan de facto leader said he owed his freedom to the people.

“I won’t be here today if it were not for you. I thank you. I will never ever forget until the end of my life.

“Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Dayaks… shook the nation and gave me my freedom,” he told a crowd of thousands at SP Arena.

The PKR leader said the full royal pardon he received from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had wiped his record clean.

Anwar, who was imprisoned in February 2015 over a second sodomy charge, was released from jail on May 16, a week after PH won GE14, ousting Barisan Nasional from power in Putrajaya.

“The Yang di-Pertuan Agong told me he pardoned me not because he has the absolute power to do so. He told me he freed me because from the start, he had studied the court proceedings and believed I was innocent.

“The power was with him, but it was the rising of the people (that made it happened)... Penang, Permatang Pauh, you are great. Number one,” Anwar said to the cheering crowd.

Anwar, who is from Permatang Pauh, held the parliamentary constituency from 1982 to 1999 when he was in BN, and again from 2008 to 2015 as opposition leader and reform icon. His daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar is the new MP.

“This will also teach and always remind me why the people gave their support to PH.”

He told the people that presently he did not want any positions in the new federal government helmed by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whom he was confident was on top of things.

“I want him to have space to start the reforms. In the meantime, I will have time for my family, meet people, write and travel to every state to say my thanks,” said the leader who took the stage simply dressed in plain white Baju Melayu, sarong and slippers.

Anwar, who is famed for his charisma and oratory skills, also had the people laughing with jokes at himself.

He touched on people making remarks about him flying in private jets and dining in palaces soon after his release from jail last week.

The private jet belonged to the Sultan of Johor, who had invited him to have an audience, he said.

He also talked about his trip to Kota Baru, Kelantan for an audience with the parents of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to express his thanks for his freedom.

“I went with my wife and two daughters. But it was an official visit, not mine as I have no positions. I was the escort of the deputy prime minister.

“The plane that flew us there was a plane for the deputy prime minister. The plane is handled by the air force. It wasn’t a private jet.

“At the palace, they would go ‘announcing the arrival of the right honourable deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Azizah, escorted by Anwar Ibrahim… alamak,” he said, as the crowd laughed.

Anwar and Dr Wan Azizah have now switched roles. More than 20 years ago, Anwar was deputy prime minister from 1993 to 1998.

“I felt sad at first. Dr Wan Azizah walked first. I followed. But that’s okay… I told her it’s fine as long as she doesn’t become like Rosmah,” Anwar said, referring to Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former prime minister Najib Razak, who has earned a reputation for her extravagance. – May 26, 2018.