SEBERANG PERAI, Aug 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) pact must ensure it doesn’t just win back Penang in this Saturday’s state election, but do so by a bigger majority.
He said this is because he is a local.
“I was born here in Sungai Bakap, so we better win this seat too,” the PH chairman said in his speech during a meet-and-greet with voters here.
Speaking to reporters later, Anwar said public acceptance of the PH-BN pact today is much better than last year after the November general election.
He was asked to comment on the possibility that the August 12 vote for six states would result in status quo – the new PH-BN pact would remain in power in three states and that its current political adversaries that make up the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition would retain the other three states.
He accused the PN parties of spreading lies about him when he was newly appointed prime minister after GE15, claiming that he would Muslims’ rights and make Muslim students wear skirts.
As a result, he said there was much negative public perception about him back then.
“Now, the people can see all these lies they spread did not come true. I did not remove Muslims’ rights nor force Muslim students to wear skirts, so the people’s perception have changed.
“I believe people’s acceptance of us is gaining ground,” he said.
Anwar was also asked to comment on PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang's assertion that the federal government would swing too if PN wins all six state elections this Saturday.
Anwar replied that the Islamist party leader doesn’t understand the Federal Constitution.
“He also said he gave me three months and now it’s already nine months,” Anwar said, of the timeframe Hadi had allegedly set before being removed as prime minister. Early voting began today in Penang, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. Polling day is this Saturday.
