IT’S taken 20 years, but Anwar Ibrahim is finally poised to return to Parliament and perhaps the government again.

“Has it been 20 years already?” joked the 71-year-old when asked today how he felt after suddenly losing his government position on September 2, 1998.

The then deputy prime minister and finance minister was sacked by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and subsequently jailed for corruption and sodomy.

Anwar claims both charges were trumped up to avert a political challenge to Dr Mahathir.

The two men have since put the past behind to become allies again, forging, as Anwar says, a unique relationship.  

“My understanding and cooperation with Dr Mahathir is extraordinary. There was never any other instance in history when two figures battled it out like we did.

“But it was fated that we would make peace and come to an agreement to save the country.

“The both of us felt that we should be together to save the country from destruction,” said the PKR president during a press conference after the Congress on the Future of Bumiputeras and the Nation in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said he would support Dr Mahathir during the latter’s second tenure as prime minister.

“We are here to support Dr Mahathir with latitude and space. I have good access to the government. This is a government event and I have the rare privilege as an ordinary citizen to give the closing remarks.

“So I think there is this spirit of comradeship that is unique and I can discuss with the various ministers contrary to the gossip out there.”

Anwar even joked that one of his favourite songs in prison was “Release me”.

“But once you’re out you can’t sing that song as my wife will object,” he said with a chuckle.

The PKR president said he is hoping to return to Parliament next month.

“I have told PM that I want to concentrate on Parliament reforms… so hopefully sometime in October before (Economic Affairs Minister) Azmin Ali tables the mid-term Malaysia Plan review.

To do so, Anwar will have to be elected to parliament. Several PKR legislators, and lawmakers from allied parties have reportedly offered to make way for him.

“But it still hasn’t been decided where I will contest,” said Anwar. – September 1, 2018.