Azmin gushes over Dr M-Anwar meet

(MMO) – The meeting between arch-enemies Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was a historic event of global significance, according to PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

Azmin said he and all Malaysians were elated over the meeting, which he also categorised as a momentous turning point for the country’s opposition parties.

“What the world witnessed at that moment was not just two people shaking hands, but two statesmen who were willing to set aside their differences and past hostilities for the future of the country and people,” Azmin, who is Selangor mentri besar, said in a statement.

He also concurred with the PKR de facto leader that the meeting indicated that Dr Mahathir was willing to embrace PKR’s reform agenda.

“I am confident that this is the start of the movement towards a united people and strengthening of progressive political parties ahead of the 14th general election.”

The former prime minister appeared in court yesterday to lend moral support for Anwar’s application for an interim injunction against the National Security Council (NSC) Act, the first time the two have met since their acrimonious falling out 18 years ago.

Despite Azmin’s apparent enthusiasm, Dr Mahathir was reserved about the significance of his meeting with Anwar after nearly two decades of bad blood.

When pressed to say if he was now on friendly terms with the former deputy prime minister yesterday, Dr Mahathir stated that he was there to support the latter’s legal action.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak also pointed out in a blog post that Dr Mahathir had been just as cordial with Anwar the day before he sacked his deputy prime minister.