In a move that surprised Malaysians who are aware of the history, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad showed up in Kuala Lumpur High Court in what is believed is a show of support for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is currently serving a 5 year jail sentence, was filing an interim injunction to stop the National Security Council (NSC) Act 2016 from being enforced.
According to a Facebook post by Anwar’s wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, this is the first time the two men have met in 18 years and 2 days, since the 3rd of September 1998.
Anwar served as Mahathir’s former Deputy Prime Minister, until he was sacked in 1998 and later accused of sodomy. Relations between the two men have been tense ever since, although earlier this year, news broke of Anwar showing support for the former Prime Minister, hinting at an improvement of the once tense battle between them.
However, this handshake is the first public showing of the two former rivals now declaring a clear truce, and netizens are expressing their shock and surprise at this.
Some responded with joy.
Some were just amazed, and reacted with a bit of humour.
There were the usual commenters, who remained neutral, or seem to be waiting for more developments.
Others were a little more cynical, and wanted to look to the future instead, or speculated about motives.
Translation: Mahathir is sucking up to Anwar because he wants his child to be Prime Minister.
Translation of Yutaka’s comment: Do you think it’s because he wants to overthrow Najib, that’s why he’s reconciliating with Anwar?
Translation of Eyjafjallajökull’s comment: of course not, Mahathir said he came not to make peace, only support the Anwar vs NSC act.
What’s your take on this reunion? Tell us in the comments.
Feature Image Credit: KiniTV