The Malaysian Insight

ANWAR Ibrahim claimed that he has already lined up three big projects in Port Dickson after only being nominated as a candidate for the by-election.

The PKR president-elect said among the projects he promised to bring to the constituency was a five-star hotel, an education programme for children and an airline programme to the coastal town.

“I am not yet a parliamentarian, only yesterday I was named candidate. I have already gotten three big programmes for Port Dickson,” Anwar told the 100 strong crowd in a ceramah.

The former deputy prime minister previously said a Singaporean company had promised to build a five-star hotel costing RM250 million.

However, Anwar said this would be on the condition that the company helps build a low cost housing project for the locals in Port Dickson.

“If you want to build a five-star hotel. it’s okay. But, you need to build a low-cost house project for the people.

“You want a project, I will discuss with the menteri besar to expedite it. We can speed it up to reduce the cost,” he said that he told the developers.

On the second project, Anwar said a famous airline company in the region will be operating a training programme from Port Dickson but did not give details.

“A big airline company in the Asian region has agreed to launch a special programme which will be based in Port Dickson,” he said.

As for the third project, the Anwar said he will be launching an education programme next week for students.

“Next week, I will launch an education programme for children in Port Dickson. There will be extra classes for standard 1 to Form 5. I will announce the details later during the launch,” Anwar said.

The 71-year old is contesting in the Port Dickson by-election in a seven-cornered fight to get him into Parliament.

Anwar pledged to voters in the coastal town that if he is made MP, he will spur economic  development there.

He also said he had made peace with current Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and it has been agreed upon by both parties that he should take over from the 92-year old.

“I am thankful to Dr Mahathir, who continues to serve the country. He met me when he was 92, I have not seen him for 18 years.

“He looked different, he walked slower but he was still sharp. He has a good memory and is determined. I said we can team up again,” Anwar said referring to working together with Dr Mahathir before the 14th general election.

The former deputy prime minister said he made a formidable team with Dr Mahathir, which led Malaysia to record an annual 9% economic growth in the 1990s.

Anwar was sacked by Dr Mahathir from the posts of deputy prime minister and finance minister, and was jailed in 1999 after being found guilty of corruption.

Eighteen years later, he is going up against former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad, retired air force officer Mohd Nazari Mokhtar of PAS and four independents, including Anwar’s former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

The Port Dickson by-election is a chance for Anwar to re-enter Parliament, paving way for him to succeed Dr Mahathir as prime minister as agreed by Pakatan Harapan component parties.

The Port Dickson parliamentary seat has 75,212 registered voters, comprising Malays (43%), Chinese (33%) and Indians (22%). – October 1, 2018.