I was joking, says Anwar of Dr Mahathir's swearing in

Kamles Kumar Christopher Rabin Kamles Kumar, Christopher Rabin Updated 7 years ago · Published on 21 Sep 2018 2:45PM · 9 Comments

Anwar Ibrahim has downplayed his 'it should have been me' remark about Dr Mahathir Mohamad being sworn in as prime minister, saying that it was meant as a joke. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, September 21, 2018.

INCOMING PKR president Anwar Ibrahim clarified that the statement he made on Dr Mahathir Mohamad being sworn in as prime minister on May 10 was in jest.

The former deputy prime minister said he was not in anyway jealous of Dr Mahathir and was merely responding to a question posed by a Singaporean student on what he felt at a personal level.

“I used the term I was extremely delighted by the enormous support and that we have now formed a government under Tun Dr Mahathir.

“Then there was a question on ‘your personal feelings’... whether you were the one supposed to be (prime minister).

“I said of course, if I am not imprisoned, I will be (appointed) but now I am in prison. I was joking but that made the headlines,” Anwar told reporters in a press conference at PKR headquarters today.

Singaporean news outlet Channel News Asia quoted Anwar as saying that when asked what was was going through this mind when he watched the swearing in ceremony from the hospital during his imprisonment.

“You want me to be honest or politically correct? Politically correct, of course, I rejoiced, everybody was so elated.

“Look, Dr Mahathir swearing in, (signalling a) new era for Malaysia. He came up with a statement saying that once Pakatan Harapan wins, they will then submit an application to the king for an immediate pardon (for me).

“But I also felt that I should have been there, you know? I did, I did. I do not want to lie to you, I did think about this… it should be me, not you,” Anwar was quoted as saying.

Anwar Ibrahim says he has a good relationship with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, denying rumours of a power struggle between them. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Seth Akmal, September 21, 2018.

He also reiterated that there was no bad blood in his relationship with Dr Mahathir Mohamad and he has the prime minister’s ear.

“I will give my utmost support and cooperation to Dr Mahathir. Thankfully I have excellent access to Dr Mahathir, otherwise there would be discord,” Anwar said.

There have been talks of bad blood between Anwar and Dr Mahathir with some critics accusing of the former trying to usurp the prime minister’s powers. – September 21, 2018

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Comments

  • Joke not funny

    Posted 7 years ago by Oli oh · Reply

  • Anwar should just allow Dr. Mahathir to continue until good stability has been reached in Malaysia, or until the next election due by 2023..

    Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • The ongoing story is not only about politics. THE ISSUE IS ABOUT REALLY SAVING MALAYIA!

      Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • We may never get a chance as good as this ever again, under Dr. Mahathir's able, tried, and tested leadership. There is really a lot of "saving Malaysia" to do, and it requires time to do it. The reform programme should not be hurried or undermined by Anwar..

      Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

    • Because there is so much to do Anwar can make himself useful in the background, like helping to set up branches and foraying into the Malay heartland (rural areas) like he said after GE13 in 2013..

      Posted 7 years ago by MELVILLE JAYATHISSA · Reply

  • U know the TRUTH.

    Posted 7 years ago by HI HI · Reply

  • Bullshit!

    Posted 7 years ago by Thiruchelvam Thirunavukarasu · Reply

  • If Amwar meant "it should be me, not you as a joke, it is so not funny. ha ha ha.

    Posted 7 years ago by Roger 5201 · Reply

  • He should be a clown wIth lots of jokes when he becomes the PM

    Posted 7 years ago by Danial Abdullah · Reply