ANWAR Ibrahim was tonight awarded the Patron’s Special Distinguished Benevolent Award by the World Chinese Economic Forum (WCEF).

The PKR president-elect was presented the award by WCEF patron Lim Kim Yew, who said Anwar has done a great service to Malaysia.

WCEF chairman Michael Yeoh said Anwar is akin to the late South African president and revolutionary Nelson Mandela in terms of the sacrifices he has made for the nation.

“Tonight, we remember and honour Anwar for his humility and sense of justice.

“Many view him as Malaysia’s Nelson Mandela, and having known both men, I believe the comparison is apt,” he said in his speech before Anwar received the award.

Anwar said while he is “delighted” to be bestowed the award, he feels he does not deserve it as he did not run in the 14th general election.

“I do not deserve this because I was resting in prison at the time. A more appropriate award would be for the best-rested person, because I had a good rest and enough sleep, which I do not have now,” he said, inciting laughter from the audience.

The former deputy prime minister said the award should be given to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

WCEF presented Lim with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his tireless contributions to Malaysian politics.

Asked about the controversial PKR elections, Anwar refused to answer.

The Port Dickson MP only said to “refer to Saifuddin’s statement”, referring to party secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Yesterday, PKR leaders aligned with deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali called for voting in Julau to be suspended, pending a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission investigation into alleged fraud in the Sarawak division’s huge membership increase.

Before the window for membership applications closed in June, Julau had just 635 members, but the figure jumped to 13,617 afterwards.

The party’s central election committee has said voting in Julau will proceed tomorrow as scheduled. – November 9, 2018.