SHAH ALAM: PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali says it is imperative that everyone moves forward to save Malaysia, rather than dwells on the past.

The Selangor Mentri Besar said although he had a close relationship with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad when he was serving then deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the reconciliation that took place last Friday was nothing personal.

It was about saving Malaysia, he said.

Both Azmin and Dr Mahathir had attended a gathering along with political figures from both sides of the political divide to initiate a citizens’ declaration to demand the removal of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Azmin also said it would seem curious for him to work with Dr Mahathir when the former prime minister had sacked his boss Anwar in 1998.

“I served a senior Umno leader (Anwar) for 13 years. Of course, I (also) have a close and personal relationship with Dr Mahathir for many years.

“We were at the citizens’ gathering as Malaysians representing different political parties, ideologies and different civil societies in the interests of the nation and the people.

“It is not about personal choice. To me it is a matter of principle,” Azmin said when met after flagging off the Women’s Marathon 2016 here yesterday.

“What happened in 1998 I certainly cannot forget. Nobody forgets the history. It is for us to learn the lesson.

“But we need to move forward and I think it is time for us to move on,” he said, adding that the reconciliation was “good for the country”.

Azmin said more meetings on the citizens’ declaration would take place with all leaders who had signed the document.-thestar