Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s surprise visit to an old friend’s home in Penang brought back decades-old memories and moved the local community.

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to a senior citizen’s home here rekindled a friendship spanning over three decades.

The visit was part of the Permatang Pasir Community Visit Programme during his one-day working trip to Penang.

Hashim Hamid, 78, was deeply moved by the Prime Minister’s unexpected visit. The former Kampung Pelet UMNO branch chief described Anwar as a genuinely people-oriented and down-to-earth leader.

“He was always very energetic,” Hashim recalled. One of his fondest memories is of Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, attending his eldest son’s wedding in 1995.

Hashim expressed immense joy at the reunion despite his own health challenges from a 15-year battle with diabetes. He never expected the Prime Minister to still remember him after more than 30 years.

The Prime Minister also visited the home of 82-year-old Bahari Osman, who is bedridden due to hypertension. Bahari’s daughter, Raihani Bahari, 49, admitted she was stunned by the visit.

She had visited the Permatang Pauh People’s Service Centre just a day earlier to apply for a wheelchair for her father. Raihani initially thought the news of the Prime Minister’s visit might be a scam.

“It turned out to be real. It is truly a blessing for my father,” she said. Her father has suffered from hypertension for the past 20 years and lives with his 75-year-old wife, Puteh Man.

Earlier, Anwar performed Friday prayers at the Masjid Jamek As-Syakirin. He spent about 15 minutes visiting the two families under the community programme.

 The Sun Malaysia