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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s two veteran politicians, Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim, said on Saturday (May 9) that they set aside their differences for a renewed push to regain power from the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.
They said in a joint statement that they rejected the two-month-old Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration that came to power without being elected, and is led by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin with the backing of Umno.
Tun Mahathir, 94, and Datuk Seri Anwar, 72, said many of the reforms they introduced when PH was in power for 22 months until the end of February were being dismantled.
The joint statement was released on Saturday, exactly two years after PH surprised many people by defeating Umno-led Barisan Nasional (BN) in the May 9, 2018 general election.
BN had been in power since Malaysia gained independence 61 years ago, but many voters became bitter in the Umno-led coalition following the 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) financial scandal that tainted then-Prime Minister Najib Razak.
“We have put aside differences, disputes and disagreements for people. We are old and we don’t have much time left,” said Dr. Mahathir and Mr. Anwar.
“However, our fighting spirit still burns in the souls of young people who dream of reforms. It is time for us to rise up again and return the mandate of the people to the rightful owners.”
His statement came as fears about the coronavirus appeared to have subsided when Malaysia entered its 53rd day of the movement control order on Saturday.
Malaysia reported 54 new cases on Saturday to bring the cumulative total to 6,589, with 108 total deaths.
“Two years ago, people of all faiths and races helped us through donations and contributions, their voices and suggestions, hope and spirit, to see change for the better in our beloved country.”
“Two years ago, we did not give up defending the voice of the people and today it remains the same,” they said in the joint statement.
When PH won a surprising victory in the general election, Dr. Mahathir became prime minister a second time, while Anwar received a royal pardon and was released from prison.
Anwar’s supporters say PH leaders had agreed that Dr. Mahathir would pass the position of prime minister to Anwar within two years of taking power. But Dr. Mahathir’s camp said there was no set date for delivery.
Tensions between the two leaders over the transfer destabilized the PH, as did the ongoing fight between Anwar and his then deputy Azmin Ali for control of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Meanwhile, voters were unhappy that the government failed to curb inflation, while Malaysian voters were concerned about the perception of eroding the rights of Muslims and Malaysians under PH.
Dr. Mahathir shocked PH by unexpectedly resigning as Prime Minister on February 24, while Datuk Seri Azmin and a group of MPs left PKR to join Muhyiddin.
Although PN, or National Alliance in Malay, today is led by Muhyiddin as prime minister and Azmin as chief minister and second-most powerful cabinet official, Umno has been unwilling to formalize the PN pact.
Umno leaders have said they prefer to consolidate a separate pact between Umno and PAS called Muafakat Nasional (National Consensus in Malay).
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