NIBONG TEBAL, Aug 8 — Public acceptance towards the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (Harapan-BN) pact alliance is much better than it was after the general election, said Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said so far, he could see positive vibes from the people, especially in the six states facing elections on August 12.
“In the past (I) used to hear all the negative things — that Anwar would revoke the rights of Muslims, that he would make students wear skirts — this slander became culture, so people believed it.
“The students don’t even wear skirts now, so I think that (perception) changed a little. I believe, God willing, it will change,” Anwar told reporters after meeting with the people of Sungai Bakap in Simpang Ampat here today.
He was commenting on the views of political analysts that the state elections will maintain the status quo — Harapan-BN remaining in power in Penang, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan — while Perikatan Nasional (PN) holds Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
On allegations of PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s son-in-law’s involvement in embezzlement, Anwar asked the suspect not to run, and instead defend himself if he is not guilty.
Earlier reports said the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is looking for two suspects — Muhammad Adlan Berhan, 48, dan Mansoor Saat, 69 — to assist investigations into embezzlement linked to the registration, intake and storage of foreign workers’ biometric information for a ministry.
The MACC said its checks found one suspect left the country on May 17 and the other on May 21, with no record of their return.
Anwar, who is also Keadilan president, lambasted the opposition for constantly bringing up “cleanliness” when more of its members have been involved in MACC investigations into high-value corruption cases.
In his speech, Anwar said Penang’s Bumiputera Development Council has been reactivated to empower the state’s Bumiputera Madani socio-economy and human capital.
— Bernama
