Anwar Ibrahim said he is not in a rush to become prime minister, and pledged his support for the current leadership of Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"I have given my categorical assurance to Mahathir as the prime minister and Wan Azizah as deputy prime minister.

“As a concerned citizen, I would give complete support to manage the affairs of this country on the understanding that we are committed to the reform agenda," he added.

Anwar said this included reforms to the judiciary, media and state apparatuses.

Quizzed on the timeframe with regard to him succeeding Mahathir, he replied: "The question on the timeline (to become prime minister), I have discussed with him (Mahathir).

"My position is to give him the necessary support to allow him to ensure the agenda for reform, the changes that need to be effectively carried out.

"I don't think I would be seen as hasty or to demand for an immediate timeframe," he told reporters at his house in Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar, who was released from prison this afternoon after securing a royal pardon, said that he wanted to spend time with his family, and also indicated that he would spend some time on the lecture circuit.

"I got invitations from renowned universities to give a series of lectures and fellowships – from Harvard University, George Washington University, Stanford University and also from other parts of the Muslim world," he noted.

Anwar stressed that he wanted to show that Muslims can be a voice of moderation, and be counted on for justice for all citizens.

'I have forgiven Mahathir'

Anwar also said that he had since forgiven Mahathir, especially now that his former political foe had proven his commitment to the reform agenda and facilitated his royal pardon. 

“My interest now is the welfare of the nation, I have forgiven him (Mahathir), and he has proven his mettle in his sacrifices.

“He was maligned in the media. I tell you, it was like déjà vu!

“But he struggled and worked hard together (with Pakatan Harapan). He has now supported the reform agenda, and he has even facilitated my release.

“Why should I harbour any malice towards him?” he said when asked if he had buried the hatchet with Mahathir. 

In 1998, during Mahathir’s first tenure as prime minister, Anwar was fired from his position as deputy prime minister and later jailed for sodomy for five years. 

Anwar maintains this charge, like his second sodomy charge, was politically motivated. 

‘From the prison to the palace’

Today, he was pardoned of all charges brought against him.

“I want to clarify one thing about my release – we did not ask for a pardon based on wrongdoing, but based on how (the charge) was slander and an abuse of power, and how it contravened the principle of justice. 

“This principle was accepted by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and that is why he released me and wiped clean all my records,” he told about his earlier meeting at the Istana Negara. 

Anwar thanked the Agong for his decision and for granting him an audience immediately after being made a free man. 

“The tagline is – from the prison to the palace,” Anwar said. 

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