KUALA LUMPUR: There are no plans to hold a by-election in the near future for PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to become a member of parliament before he is made a minister, said PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
“You will have to give time to Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and for the cabinet to be formed and the government to be working and running well.
“Anwar will contribute but not as part of the government,” she told reporters after an event to welcome her as the first woman to be elected as deputy prime minister and Pandan MP here on Tuesday night.
Wan Azizah said in her speech that the time is now to rebuild the country and she hopes with the release of Anwar, Malaysia would regain its glory days again.
She said during the time when Dr Mahathir was the Prime Minister, and Anwar, his deputy, Malaysia was recognised by the world as “Asian Tiger.”
“With the release of Anwar tomorrow, we will rebuild the country together. Positions are secondary, please give us some space and time to serve the Malaysian people,” she added.
Wan Azizah also said an event to welcome the release of Anwar will be held in Padang Timur, Amcorp Mall, Petaling Jaya, on Wednesday night.
“Also, tomorrow night will be the first night for Muslims to welcome the fasting month and Tarawih prayers will be held there as well.
“It’s truly a blessing with the release of Anwar, we can celebrate Ramadan with him,” she said.
It was reported that the Pardons Board committee will meet at 5pm on Wednesday to discuss the application for a royal pardon for Anwar.
In 2015, Anwar was sentenced to five years’ jail after the Federal Court upheld his guilty verdict.
On Friday, Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V had expressed his willingness to grant an immediate pardon to Anwar.