PUTATAN – Former foreign minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman has given his thumbs-up to Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the next prime minister.
Anifah, who leads Parti Cinta Sabah after exiting Barisan Nasional (BN) linchpin Umno in 2018, had intentions of joining the coalition’s state partner Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) .
But he was seen tonight attending a PH function here, showing his support for Anwar becoming prime minister should the coalition win the 15th general election (GE15).
“I came here today to show my support to Anwar. This is the last chance for us to vote for Anwar to be the prime minister.
“I have decided not to contest the Kimanis seat because I want to help support all of PKR’s candidates. I want to make sure Anwar becomes prime minister,” he said in his 15-minute speech.
He added that many diplomats have asked about Anwar when Anifah was a foreign minister, saying the PH chief was very popular among them.
He also took a swipe at BN’s prime minister candidate Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, saying that the United Nations General Assembly was not the right platform to speak in Bahasa Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Anifah expressed hope that Anwar, once he becomes prime minister, would implement the Malaysia Agreement 1963 in phases as previous prime ministers did not do so.
“Sabah is actually a rich state. We are rich in oil, gas and palm oil. But we remain a poor state,” he said as he blamed voters for not picking the right government.
Previously, Anifah was rumoured to run for Kimanis but did not show up on nomination day on November 5.
Instead, Kimanis will see a five-cornered fight among incumbent Mohamad Alamin (BN), Warisan’s Daud Yusof, Pejuang’s Yusop Osman, PH’s Rowindy Lawrence Odong and Amat Mohd Yusof of Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat. – The Vibes, November 12, 2022
