Dr M to campaign for Anwar in Port Dickson

(FMT) – Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said he would go to Port Dickson to campaign for Anwar Ibrahim to dispel rumours of a falling-out with the PKR leader.

“I along with all party leaders will attend a function on Oct 8,” he said after chairing a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting at the Yayasan AlBukhary building here.

Previously, Mahathir said he would not participate in campaigns for by-elections. However, he said he had decided to do so as people were saying “all sorts of things” about him.

“They are talking about a quarrel with Anwar. Then they say I don’t support Anwar because of my quarrel,” he said.

He also dismissed claims that Anwar had used government resources to further his campaign in Port Dickson, following reports that the PKR president-elect had attended an event with Defence Minister Mohamad Sabu on Wednesday.

“It wasn’t a government function, it was a veterans function,” he said.

“There was a minister there, but it wasn’t a ministry function.”

The event in question was a service medal presentation ceremony for army personnel in Port Dickson.

At the function, Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, had assured that the welfare of army veterans would be taken care of if Anwar is voted in as the new MP.

The by-election on Oct 13 was triggered by the resignation of Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, who stepped down to pave the way for Anwar’s attempt to return to Parliament.

It will be contested by six others aside from Anwar, including former Umno leader Isa Samad and Anwar’s former political aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.