PUBLIC acceptance of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance is much better compared with last year’s general election, PH chairman Ibrahim said.

The prime minister said so far, he could see positive vibes among the people, especially in the six states heading to the polls on Saturday.

“In the past (people) used to hear all the negative things, that Anwar would revoke the rights of Muslims, that he (Anwar) would make students wear skirts. This slander becomes a culture, so people believe it.

“The students don’t even wear skirts now. so, I think that (perception) changed a little. I believe, insya Allah, it will change,” he told reporters after meeting with the people of Sungai Bakap at the Perda Tasek booth, Simpang Ampat, today.

He was commenting on the views of political analysts that the PH-BN alliance will remain in power in Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan while Perikatan Nasional (PN) will hold on to Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

On the son-in-law of PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin allegedly involved in the foreign worker registration project, Anwar urged the individual not to run away, but to defend himself if he is innocent.

“If he thinks he is innocent, stay put instead of running away. He is not setting a good example,” he said.

It was reported that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is tracking two individuals – Muhammad Adlan Berhan, 48, and Mansoor Saat, 69 – to assist in investigations into the alleged corruption and misappropriation of a project related to the registration and storage of foreign workers’ biometrics. 

MACC said a check on records found that the two individuals had already left Malaysia, on May 17 and 21 respectively, and so far there is no record of either of them returning to Malaysia.

Anwar, who is also PKR president, criticised the opposition for often talking about being clean, but some are suspected of being corrupt.

“So, you (the opposition) have to take care of this. The amount linked to corruption is large. Now PN cannot use the clean tag because they too are involved in corruption,” he said.

Earlier, in his speech, the prime minister reiterated that the state Bumiputera Development Council has been reactivated, to empower the socioeconomic aspects and human capital of Bumiputera Madani in Penang.

Meanwhile, Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will meet him this Friday, likely to discuss investment in Malaysia.

“This Chinese foreign minister (is) from one of the most powerful countries in the world. He agreed when I apologised (to him) that I am busy (with elections). He said it’s okay, he can come to Kedah or Penang,” he said. – Bernama, August 8, 2023.