Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim campaign together for the first time in 20 years
Anwar was once a high-flying member of the former ruling coalition but was convicted of homosexual sodomy and corruption after a power struggle in 1998 with Mahathir
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad campaigned on Monday for his designated successor and former foe Anwar Ibrahim, urging voters to support Anwar’s return to active politics.
Mahathir’s appearance at a late-night political rally marked the first time in two decades that the two leaders shared the same stage, after setting aside a bitter political feud to form an alliance that won a stunning victory in May 9 national elections.
Mahathir, 93, was elected a second time to become the world’s oldest leader in the country’s first transition of power since independence from Britain in 1957. Anwar couldn’t participate in the polls due to a 2015 conviction for sodomy that he alleged was politically motivated, but he was freed and pardoned by King Muhammad V days after the general elections.
Anwar faces six other candidates but is expected to easily win Sunday’s parliamentary by-election to fill a vacant seat for the southern coastal town of Port Dickson in his bid to return to parliament and prepare for his eventual takeover from Mahathir.
Mahathir had earlier said he would not go to Port Dickson to campaign for Anwar because the race was a minor by-election – but changed his mind in a move that appeared symbolic to show that the past conflict between the two former rivals had been buried.
I hope that we can continue to work together … not for Mahathir or Anwar but for our beloved country
“I hope that in this by-election, victory will be given to the Alliance of Hope, to Anwar. I hope that we can continue to work together … not for Mahathir or Anwar but for our beloved country,” Mahathir told about 2,000 people seated in a large tent for the rally. Dozens of others with umbrellas stood outside because the tent was packed.