PORT DICKSON: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says there is no point in dwelling on the past if one wishes to progress.
Referring to his colourful history with PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister said for the sake of unity and solid governance, he would not allow past controversies to upset the current nexus and the country’s future.
“I am happy to campaign for Anwar,” he told a crowd of about 6,000 people at a rally to campaign for Anwar, who is Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the Port Dickson parliamentary seat.
This marks the first time that Dr Mahathir is sharing a stage with Anwar, his former nemesis-turned political ally. The last time the duo appeared together was on Aug 31, 1998 for a National Day celebration before Dr Mahathir, then in his first tenure as prime minister, sacked Anwar, who was his deputy.
Dr Mahathir, who is Pakatan Harapan chairman, added, albeit jocularly, that Anwar’s political career was dependent on him.
“Yes, Anwar and I did not get along very well (back then). But remember, he joined Umno and became minister because of me,” Dr Mahathir quipped.
He said there is a need to move ahead from the past, as seen in his relationships with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and Parti Amanah Negara president, Mohamad Sabu.
“If I dwell on what had happened back then, we will not move. The same goes with Mohamad, Lim; the same thing would have happened.”
Dr Mahathir said he was unperturbed by the labels thrown by his colleagues back then against him.
“Last time, they called me Mahazalim or a dictator. I’m Mahathir, not Mahakutty. Our problem is not Mohamad or Lim. Our problem back then was we had a corrupt government.
“Hence, for unity, we cannot dwell on the past. Otherwise, we cannot be united.
“We have a bigger objective to look into. We did so (successfully) when we toppled a kleptocratic government. We were fighting to save the country from a rogue.”
Dr Mahathir said he felt proud seeing the large turnout for the ceramah.
“I hope you will vote for PH (on polling day),” he said, adding that support for Anwar would enable the PH government to continue to work to develop the country.
Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir also said that the new line up of high ranking government officers are starting to understand the ropes and will be better than the previous government as they understand the dangers of corruption.
Apart from Mohamad and Lim, other PH leaders present included outgoing PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke Siew Fook; and PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
The Port Dickson by-election was called after incumbent Datuk Danyal Balagopal Abdullah vacated the seat to make way for Anwar’s return to parliament.
Anwar is currently locked in a seven-cornered battle which contenders include former menteri besar Tan Sri Isa Samad and the PKR president-elect’s former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Polling day has been fixed for Oct 13.