About 3,000 people turned up to greet PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim in his first appearance in Permatang Pauh – the parliament seat in Penang which catapulted his political career - since his release from prison last week.
As he felt the issue may be on most people's minds, Anwar took the opportunity to explain why he flew on a private jet to visit the Johor sultan as well as the mother of the Agong, Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid.
In his usual comical style, Anwar, who was imprisoned for three years in Sungai Buloh Prison, said it was not wrong for the public to question him on the matter so long as he is given the chance to explain his side of the story.
Anwar said the private jet to Johor was provided by the state ruler, and he was told that the plane was at his disposal anytime should the need arise.
He joked, drawing laughter from the ethnically-mixed crowd who packed the SP Arena Hall in Seberang Jaya, "Whoever wants to come along, show your hands?"
In Kota Bharu, Anwar said his family - wife and children - were invited to meet the Agong's mother so that they could thank the royal family for his pardon, which he received from the king last week.
"But I did not go there on official business. I do not have any position. I was invited to the palace as a companion of the deputy prime minister.
"It was not a private jet - the plane is a government jet managed by the Royal Air Force of Malaysia. What lah...?" he quipped and the audience chuckled.
People’s power
Anwar had the crowd in stitches when he related how his life had turned around since he went to prison for the second time in February 2015.
"Now wherever I go they announce the arrival of Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail… accompanied by Anwar Ibrahim," he said to loud laughter and cheers.
"At first, I felt really sad. Pity me lah. But it is okay, it is okay."
He related how Azizah had told him, "Oh, I used to follow you for years, it was okay. Now you follow me for once, you complain.”
"I did not complain, but (felt) sad," he said, smiling.
"Now I have to walk behind her, but I said it's okay as long as you do not become (like) Rosmah (Mansor)," he quipped, as the crowd laughed and booed.
Still, Anwar expressed gratefulness that 20 years ago, he held the post of the deputy prime minister.
He said that Wan Azizah too rose up to the DPM position on the back of the support of Permatang Pauh voters.
Azizah became Permatang Pauh MP in 1999 and again in 2015 after Anwar was imprisoned - in 1998 and 2015 - for two separate sodomy convictions.
"How about Lim Guan Eng, now finance minister? A powerful post. But where did he rise up from? He became successful because he was the chief minister of Penang," Anwar said.
"I was freed, why? Because of people's power. I tell you, there are none as sweet, as beautiful and lovely as the people of Permatang Pauh," he said to loud cheers.
‘Do not fear’
Meanwhile, Anwar said when Wan Azizah had to contest in Pandan after its former parliamentarian, Rafizi Ramli, was convicted for breaching a bank law, Nurul Izzah was slated to contest in Permatang Pauh.
However, his daughter had expressed her concerns and felt the seat was not viable, not winnable and the risks were high.
"But I told them not to fear. Nurul Izzah can win. I know the Permatang Pauh people," Anwar said.
Anwar said, Nurul Izzah told him "How do you know, Papa, you are sitting in prison?"
"Oh, this kid, I told her I know the Permatang Pauh people, I see their eyes, I even see their noses, I see their sincerity and genuine support for the reformasi cause," he said, thanking his supporters for their support as the audience cheered him on.
At the May 9 general election, Nurul Izzah won the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat by garnering 35,534 votes against BN's Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said (19,866) and PAS' Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden (14,428).
As Anwar left the venue to return to Kuala Lumpur at about 12 midnight, the crowd followed him, many of whom tussled to shake his hand, hug him, or take selfies with him. It took Anwar almost 15 minutes to get to his car outside the hall. - Mkini
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