Rare photo of Mahathir meeting Anwar’s wife gets special response

A photo published on Twitter and the comments from users tells a different story on the Malaysian political landscape.

After the weeks of uncertainty and upheavals that has rocked the party of Anwar Ibrahim, the Parti Keadilaan Rakyat (PKR) or People’s Justice Party, a sense of calm has dawned in Malaysia.

The Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail posted a photo on her Twitter account showing her sitting in Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s office.

It drew positive response from users who called for a smooth political transition in the country.

Wan Azizah is the wife of Anwar Ibrahim and was leader of the Justice Party for most of the party’s history. She helmed the party during Anwar’s absence. He was serving various jail sentences between 1999 and 2004 and 2015 and 2018.

Pertemuan bersama YAB Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad sebelum memulakan rutin mingguan, Mesyuarat Kabinet. pic.twitter.com/sR9we7Ink0

— Dr Wan Azizah Ismail (@drwanazizah) July 31, 2019

Accompanying the photo is a simple comment from the deputy PM. It says, “Pertemuan bersama YAB Perdana Menteri Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad sebelum memulakan rutin mingguan, Mesyuarat Kabinet.”

Translated from Malay it says “Meeting with the Prime Minister Dr Mahathir before the start of the weekly routine, the Cabinet meeting.”

Analysts say the picture brings a sense of stability after the hectic weeks following the publication of a series of gay-sex videos.

The videos implicate a minister in Dr Mahathir’s cabinet who is also the deputy leader of PKR.

Rumour has it that Azmin Ali, the man targeted in the videos, is tipped to replace Anwar as the PM-to-be in the Pakatan Harapan government.

This erupted in infighting in Anwar’s party pitting the leader against his deputy leader.

Users on Twitter commented that the people want a swift transition and some asked whether Dr Mahathir is willing to step down.

Other users said the picture demonstrates the right thing unlike what happened lately with the rush to claim who will be next PM.

One user said Azmin will be the 8th Prime Minister while others said Anwar is set to take over after Dr Mahathir leaves office, as agreed upon. -/TISG