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| This picture needs no caption for Malaysians |
Anwar also revealed that the former prime minister had wished him well and hoped he would succeed in his suit.
When asked if he trusted Mahathir, Anwar said it was not about a matter of trust.
“Anyone who supports the reform agenda must be given a chance,” he said, adding that he presumed that Mahathir supported it based on his appearance today.
1MDB PM Najib, Umno-led BN politically jolted by Dr M-Anwar handshake in court
Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s sudden visit in court in support of Anwar Ibrahim’s National Security Act (NSC) suit is a classic example of what and how the grand old man of Malaysia can come up with in politics to surprise everyone.
And he did it without announcing his visit, neither with having to say much.
But, to Malaysians, the scene of his visit and Anwar clasping the 91-year-old Mahathir’s hands are absolutely amazing politically.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and it is all so true to Malaysians.
There is no need to even go into details about these two politicians and their political history. To many, it was unbelievable, yet very telling on the possible historic political developments that may unfold.
At the risk of reading too much into the former prime minister of 22 years visiting the deputy he sacked and jailed, Malaysians do hope it is a sincere sign of “forgive and let live” for the two.
Was Mahathir’s move and Anwar’s positive response a subtle way of delivering their political message to party grassroots and Malaysians?
The message: “Let’s forgive our mistakes, let’s forget the past. Let’s look to the future realistically.”
Already, postings by politicians from Anwar’s PKR on Facebook are already saying: “If Anwar can forgive Dr M, why not all Malaysians?”
If that is the case, then Malaysians may be able to see a historic electoral battle in the 14th General Election (GE14) and a very real threat to the Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN)’s grip on Putrajaya (federal government).
If there is a united Opposition front, then GE14 will see either straight contests with BN or three-corne battles with BN and the Umno-loving PAS led by Hadi Awang.
The Islamist PAS, as seen in the last two by-elections in Sungai Besar (Selangor) and Kuala Kangsar (Perak), serves Umno well by splitting the Opposition Malay votes.
With the Mahathir-Anwar court scene, the two political leaders are also telling Malaysians and Opposition party grassroots to face political reality in the run-up to GE14.
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| Yes, it’s out of your control! |
Yes, the pre-GE14 run-up is getting hotter and hotter, more and more intriguing and more and more exciting for Malaysians.
And, GE14 is only due in March 2018. However, 1Malaysia Development (1MDB) Prime Minister Najib Razak has the power and right to call for a snap GE14, if he so decides.
Here’s what online news portals Free Malaysia Today (FMT) and the Malaysian-banned Malaysia Chronicle posted today (Sept 5, 2016):
"Dr M makes surprise court visit in support of Anwar’s NSC suit
Ho Kit Yen
| September 5, 2016
Former PM and his protege-turned-rival share a brief moment in court.
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad made an unscheduled visit to a High Court hearing here on an urgent application by his former nemesis, Anwar Ibrahim, to suspend the coming into force of the controversial National Security Council Act.
The 91-year-old Mahathir arrived about 3pm together with PKR Deputy President Azmin Ali, former Umno leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan, Batu MP and PKR Vice-President Tian Chua.
Mahathir, who left Umno earlier this year, was spotted in his trademark bush jacket. He shook hands and briefly exchanged pleasantries with Anwar in the witness room.
It is believed that this is the first time both Mahathir and Anwar, 68, are meeting again after a lapse of 18 years.
There were about 80 people, mostly Anwar’s supporters, in the room.
Earlier, Anwar, who is serving a five-year prison term for sodomy, was brought to court under heavy escort by prison wardens.
Anwar, who was Mahathir’s deputy and heir apparent to succeed as prime minister, was unceremoniously removed from the government and as Umno deputy president in 1998 for alleged sexual misconduct.
“I am interested in this case because it involves national security and I have already touched on this in my blog,” Mahathir told reporters.
DR M-ANWAR COMBO REUNITES: NAJIB SHIVERS AS DR M SHAKE-HANDS WITH ANWAR 18 YEARS AFTER FIRST SODOMY JAILING
Politics | September 5, 2016 by | 0 Comments
KUALA LUMPUR — Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turned up in court today for a case involving Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and met his former political nemesis for the first time after 18 years.
The PKR de facto leader and Dr Mahathir’s former deputy, who is currently serving a five year prison sentence for sodomy, is filing an interim injunction at the High Court here to stop the National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016 from being enforced.
“Pertemuan pertama selepas 18 tahun 3 hari..sejak 2 September 1998..,” Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Anwar’s wife and PKR president, tweeted as she posted a picture of Anwar and Dr Mahathir shaking hands in a crowded courtroom.
[Translation: The first meeting after 18 years 3 days..since 2 September 1998].
Anwar was fired as deputy prime minister on September 2, 1998, and he was later imprisoned and charged with sodomy and corruption.
Also present today was PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang, DAP MP Teresa Kok, PKR MP R. Sivarasa and former Umno member Datuk Seri Khairuddin Hassan.
On August 2, Anwar filed an originating summons to declare the NSC Act 2016 unconstitutional as it came into force without royal assent.
In the originating summons, Anwar sought to have Article 66(4) of the Federal Constitution declared unconstitutional, null and void.
Article 66 (4) states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong must assent to any Bill presented to him within 30 days. Article 66 (4A) goes on to say that should the Agong not assent to a Bill within the stipulated time, “it shall become law at the expiration of the time specified in that Clause in the like manner as if he has assented thereto.”
He also sought to restrain the second defendant, namely the NSC, from “taking or purporting to take any step or from acting or purporting to act pursuant to the National Security Council Act 2016.”"
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