Anwar touched by Mahathir's gesture at trial
Published on: Tuesday, September 06, 2016
Kuala Lumpur: Anwar Ibrahim has thanked his former mentor-turned-nemesis Dr Mahathir Mohamed for supporting his suit against the government over the National Security Council Act (NSC). "He is hoping for my success and I am touched by his attitude," he told reporters outside the Jalan Duta court.The former Opposition leader was commenting on Mahathir's unscheduled visit to a High Court hearing.ADVERTISEMENT Anwar is pushing to suspend the coming into force of the controversial Act.The 91-year-old Mahathir arrived about 3pm, together with PKR Deputy President Azmin Ali, former Umno leader Khairuddin Abu Hassan, Batu MP and PKR Vice-President Tian Chua.Anwar also revealed that the former prime minister had wished him well and hoped he would succeed in his suit.When asked if he trusted Mahathir, Anwar said it was not about a matter of trust.ADVERTISEMENT "Anyone who supports the reform agenda must be given a chance," he said, adding that he presumed that Mahathir supported it based on his appearance today.Anwar, who was Mahathir's deputy and heir apparent to succeed as prime minister, was unceremoniously removed from the government and as Umno deputy president in 1998 for abuse of power. Many of Anwar's supporters blame Mahathir for being behind the incarceration of the former.
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Dr Mahathir denied that he was burying the hatchet with Anwar. "I'm interested in this case as it involves national security. This has already been chronicled in my blog," said Dr Mahathir.In the 20-minute meeting at the witness area, Dr Mahathir said he and Anwar had only discussed the case and did not touch on other matters. Asked if he would offer his support to Anwar if the opposition succeeds in governing the country, Dr Mahathir merely replied: "It's too soon (to say)." Anwar and Dr Mahathir also shook hands during their meeting.It was the first time that the two leaders met face-to-face in 18 years after Dr Mahathir sacked Anwar as Deputy prime Minister on Sept 1, 1998.Anwar's wife, PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said in a tweet that the meeting between the two was their first since Sept 2, 1998.Anwar had filed the suit on Aug 2 to stop the operation of the National Security Council Act on the grounds that the Act is unconstitutional. He named the Government and the National Security Council as respondents in his originating summons filed at the High Court civil registry.The Act has been criticised by the Opposition and human rights organisations on the grounds that it would give the Prime Minister absolute powers. It allows for the establishment of a National Security Council consisting of the Prime Minister as chairman, Deputy Prime Minister as deputy chairman, the Defence, Home and Communications and Multimedia ministers, Chief Secretary to the Government, Chief of Defence Forces, and Inspector-General of Police. In the originating summons, Anwar sought to have Article 66(4) of the Federal Constitution declared unconstitutional, null and void.Article 66 (4) states that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong must assent to any Bill presented to him within 30 days. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Article 66 (4A) goes on to say that should the Agong not assent to a Bill within the stipulated time, "it shall become law at the expiration of the time specified in that Clause in the like manner as if he has assented thereto." He also sought to restrain the second defendant, namely the NSC, from "taking or purporting to take any step or from acting or purporting to act pursuant to the National Security Council Act 2016."