ANWAR-ZAHID-ANTHONY LOKE COMBO ON A ROLL – AS ANOTHER MASSIVE CROWD TURNS UP TO WATCH THEM – PN HATES ZAHID’S GUTS BECAUSE HE CHOSE TO ALLY UMNO WITH PAKATAN – AND NOT BECAUSE OF HIS COURT CASES, SAYS ANWAR – WHILE ZAHID RETURNS THE COMPLIMENTS WITH – ‘THIS IS NOT A QUESTION OF POWER BUT TOGETHERNESS…ANTHONY SITS ON MY RIGHT DURING CABINET MEETINGS. NEVER HAS HE RAISED ANY ANTI-ISLAM ISSUE. HE AGREES WITH WHATEVER THE PRIME MINISTER SAYS’
Anwar defends ‘principled’ Zahid, calls DAP ‘part of our family’
The prime minister says Perikatan Nasional leaders detest Zahid because he stands by his principles and refuses to work with them.
Anwar Ibrahim addressing the ‘Ceramah Madani’ at the Seberang Jaya expo ground, during which he launched the PH-BN unity coalition that will contest the state elections.
SEBERANG JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for being “principled” by opting to work with Pakatan Harapan and DAP, calling the party “part of our family”.
Anwar said Perikatan Nasional detested Zahid not because of the court cases he was facing, but because Zahid was brave in making decisions and stood true to his principles.
“(He was) sick with the false promises made by Bersatu and PAS and said that (BN) would work with those who were equally principled, and those who defend good governance, the people and the Federal Constitution,” Anwar told a huge crowd the “Ceramah Madani” at the Seberang Jaya expo ground yesterday.
““That is why they (hate) Zahid. I want Penangites to know that his courage in taking up risks, despite the fact that there was a group that was uneasy with it, is the reason why we have a stable government today. I thank and salute you, Zahid.”
The Pakatan Harapan chairman also recalled how he was chastised by PAS members over his affiliation with DAP, and how PKR Wanita chief Fadhlina Sidek was allegedly called a “barua DAP” (DAP stooge) during an event in Relau.
“DAP (members) are humans, too. Don’t insult them. We can fight over differences on a few things.
“But (PN) insulted DAP by calling it communist, (when it) was okay with Gerakan that opposed hudud and Jawi writing.
“I would like to tell (DAP secretary-general) Loke Siew Fook, you are a member of our family. No worries, no apologies. This (Malaysia) is your land, you can go to any village, any town, and we will continue to support you whenever a DAP candidate is contesting,” he said.
He also said none of his Cabinet ministers had been linked to corruption cases, eight months after the formation of the unity government, which was a “record in the nation’s history”.
Penang unity coalition launched
Earlier, Anwar launched the PH-BN unity coalition which will contest the Penang state election as a single bloc.
Penang and five other states – Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan – will go to the polls on Aug 12.
The total number of seats to be contested by PH and BN has yet to be finalised. FMT
Open new book on BN-PH cooperation, Zahid tells BN
SEBERANG JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN), particularly Umno, has been told to close the old book and open a new one in their cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) to ensure the coalition’s victory in the upcoming state elections.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he used to be ‘allergic’ to the Rocket, drawing reference to DAP, in the past.
“Previously, it was ‘lawan tetap lawan’. But, why should we continue fighting?
“We should work together to ensure our victory and strengthen the unity government,” he said in his speech at the Jelajah Perpaduan Madani and launch of the Perpaduan machinery here late last night.
The launch was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Zahid said togetherness and compatibility were important in their cooperation.
He said he met with the Penang state Umno machinery yesterday, and they promised him what wherever PH was contesting, the BN machinery would be there to help.
“In the case of Penang, we are confident of retaining the state. Even the prime minister has confirmed that incumbent Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow would be the Chief Minister should the coalition win in the upcoming state election.
“Chow, remember I am your brother. I am going to deliver my Adun (elected representatives) to you. We would like to have our share of take as well.
“This is not a question of power but togetherness. When we are committed, we will implement it with full commitment to strengthen the unity government.
“Chow, this is BN’s first time as a partner. There will be no flip flop. When we promise, we fulfil them. That is our commitment,” he added.
Zahid also revealed that Islam was never threatened under the unity government.
“(Transport Minister) Anthony Loke sits on my right during Cabinet meetings. Never has he raised any anti-Islam issue.
“He (Loke) agrees with whatever the Prime Minister says,”he said. NST
