PAKATAN Harapan ministers have hailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim’s return to parliament, following his landslide victory in the Port Dickson parliamentary by-election on Saturday.

“I’m honoured to welcome Anwar back to Parliament as a member of Pakatan Harapan. This is a momentous occasion for the Parliament,” said Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Bersatu president said that Anwar will play an important role in the reform of parliamentary process.

“This is something we promised in our manifesto and we have honoured it. And I’m sure the other PH lawmakers will help him build a better parliament,” said the Pagoh MP in Parliament.

Deputy prime minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Anwar’s return to Parliament has been a long time coming, adding that it was made possible thanks to the royal pardon Anwar received after the 14th general election.

“He has been waiting for a long time. Previously his right to contest was denied,” said Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Anwar’s wife.

“His entry into Parliament was made possible after he obtained pardon on the basis of miscarriage of justice.

“It was not because he admitted guilt, but it was given on the basis of miscarriage of justice,” Dr Wan Azizah told reporters in Parliament.

Meanwhile, Bernama reported Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali as saying that Anwar’s participation in Parliament would liven it up.

He said Anwar would bring useful input to help strengthen the policies of the PH government.

“I believe the the Dr Mahathir-Anwar combination will make Malaysia a strong nation in many ways again,” he said.

The PKR president-elect was freed on May 16 after receiving a full pardon from the King for his sodomy conviction.

On Saturday, Anwar capped his political comeback by bagging the Port Dickson seat with a whopping majority of 23,560 votes. – October 15, 2018.