KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia must move forward despite past challenges, including his past imprisonment and political persecution.
He said his government is committed to prioritising economic development and ensuring zero tolerance for corruption and abuse of power.
Anwar, who leads a unity government that includes Barisan Nasional, which was largely blamed for his imprisonment in the 1990s, acknowledged the complexity of his political journey.
The Pakatan Harapan chairman said it is more important to focus on the country's future rather than dwell on past injustice.
"We have to move on. It is a coalition, but the principles must be made clear. No tolerance of corruption, no abuse of power and a strong focus on economic development.
"I can't go on talking about the years of torture and deprivation that Azizah (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail), my wife, and our children suffered.
"Many of my colleagues were also dismissed and detained without trial. Thousands were affected through these years," he said in an interview with United States-based broadcaster Mehdi Hasan on Friday.
"However, it's more important to do something effective for the country now."
In the 1990s, Anwar was deputy prime minister and finance minister under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's administration.
In 1998, Dr Mahathir sacked Anwar. Anwar then spearheaded the Reformasi movement against the then government.
Anwar was jailed in April 1999 on charges of corruption and sodomy. He was released in 2004 after his conviction was overturned.
He made a comeback as leader of the opposition from 2008 to 2015.