Anwar Ibrahim reveals that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong was impressed with Dr Wan Azizah honoring her words. and Dr Mahathir’s swearing in was delayed because the EC failed to furnish GE14 results to the King in a timely manner.
Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail turned down the King’s offer to be made prime minister because she held true to the deal by Pakatan Harapan component parties to elect Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as premier, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed in his first speech at Padang Timur on May 16 night.
Anwar said the King spoke to Dr Wan Azizah about the matter on May 10 at the Istana Negara.
“His Majesty’s argument was that Wan Azizah is the president of PKR, which has the most MPs in Parliament,” Anwar explained.
However, Dr Wan Azizah declined the offer as the deal in Pakatan was that coalition chairman Dr Mahathir would be made Prime Minister, also saying she was not ready for the role.
“His Majesty told me during our meeting, ‘I am impressed with her (Dr Wan Azizah). She did not mince her words and said she only wanted her husband back safe’,” Anwar said, recounting what the King said to him following his pardon and release on May 16.
“The King said he will do it as fast as possible,” Anwar said.
“He also decreed that it was rare to find a politician that honours a promise despite being given the opportunity.
“His Majesty told me to cherish her (Dr Wan Azizah) as it is very difficult to find such a (loyal and loving) wife,” Anwar added, smiling.
Seeking to explain the apparent delay in the swearing in of Dr Mahathir as PM, he took a swipe at the Election Commission (EC), claiming that it had failed to furnish GE14 results to the King in a timely manner.
“(On election day), the King said he did not receive a report from the EC at 2.30am and at 3.30am.
“So I asked when the EC gave him an official report. He said it was 3.45pm the next day.
”I promised that I will pass down this message to the people so the public won’t be ‘cheated’ by the EC – that it has done its work,” said Anwar.
He stressed that the Agong acted the moment he received all the details of the election results.