Prisoners

"I am indeed rather residing very close to the country, so that I may probably silently enter by lucky chance at any time."

"If the grandchildren of the freedom fighters do not get job, then will the grandchildren of Razakar get it? My question is to the countrymen. Razakar's grandchildren will get jobs, will freedom fighters grandshildren not get job? what is their fault?"

"Responding to a question from reporters on quota reform"

"No one knows the pain of losing a loved one more than I do."

"From now on, you will use the lethal weapon, shoot everyone you get. Wherever you see gathering from above... now I am making the (shooting) done from above, from the helicopter, it has already been started."

"Rumors have been spread during the movement that Sheikh Hasina has fled. But I want to tell you that Sheikh Hasina has not fled, never flees."

"No one stay here."

"The price of brinjal has gone above 110 taka. It has now come down to 80 taka. Instead of making brinjal fritters with brinjal, you can make it with other vegetables that are easily available. That's what we eat. 'You can make a very good brinjal fritters with sweet pumpkin instead of brinjal. We do it like this. That's how it can be done."

"Khaleda Zia said, "The Padma Bridge is being built in charlatan process, it will not rise there, it will collapse if you climb." And the one who has stopped the money of the bridge like Padma Bridge for the post of MD (Muhammad Yunus) should also be given two dunks in the Padma river and again put him on the bridge. Don't let him die. Then if they may be taught."

"Noticing her efforts in the haor area, it seems to me that the premier failed to understand the reality of the flood victims."

"Like East Timor, they will carve out a Christian country taking parts of Bangladesh [Chattogram] and Myanmar with a base in the Bay of Bengal." Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League president, said in a meeting on Thursday, reported The Daily Star. It was the 14-party alliance's first meeting with the Awami League president after polls. "The offer came from a white man," Sheikh Hasina said without revealing any details. "It may appear that it is aimed at only one country, but it is not. I know where else they intend to go," she said that there will be more trouble but she is not worried about it. "If I allowed a certain country to build an airbase in Bangladesh, then I would have had no problem."

"The junior leaders of Awami League one day told Joy, son of Bangabandhu's daughter leader Sheikh Hasina, "We are here, we are with you when you become the prime minister." Joy says, "Prime Minister President begs votes from people. I will never become President or Prime Minister by begging for votes. If the you make me king then I am, otherwise I am not." Bangabandhu's daughter, leader Sheikh Hasina immediately said, "Son, we are the king, in the future you will be the king. Your grandfather was the king of this country, your grandfather created this country, owned this country. The servants conspired and killed your grandfather and seized the throne. Just as Alivardi Khan was the Nawab of Bengal, then his grandson Sirajddaula became the Nawab. Your grandfather Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was also the king of Bangladesh. In the future, You will be the king of Bangladesh. The modern name of King or Emperor is President-Prime Minister."

"If Najib is tortured in prison, PH (Pakatan Harapan) leaders including ex-prisoners like Anwar and myself will be the first to defend him. But has MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association) any evidence that Najib is being tortured? The issue is the special treatment given to Najib that was never accorded to Anwar or me when we were in Sungai Buloh and Kajang Prison respectively."

"The Agong (Muhammad V of Kelantan) has indicated that he is willing to pardon Anwar. It needs to be a full pardon. More importantly, Anwar must be released immediately (from prison), after he is granted pardon by the King."

"I know how Anwar feels. It was during my administration that he was sent to (prison). It is not easy for him to accept me and shake my hand. And it's not just Anwar, but his family as well, who felt pressure when he was jailed. They suffered for 20 years."

"The (political) appointments are for government-linked companies, not publicly-listed companies. Those appointed have the suitable qualifications. Unlike before, these appointments are based on their qualifications and it comes with a set of rules. For example, they must (carry out) their responsibilities well, they must not overspend and allowances are given based on their qualifications."

"I was asked by the (Turkish) president (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan) to be there (in Turkey) immediately, to give moral support (in the aftermath of 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake). (And) I am considering whether I should fly tonight to Türkiye to show our support. Several leaders of other countries have arrived in the country, and the president has asked me to personally be there."

"Anwar, I will give you a full pardon because I have been following the developments of your court case, which has seen breaches in the principle of justice."

"I will be part of the process (former Prime Minister Najib Razak's request for a royal pardon) and on the matters of the awarding of honorific titles and pardons, that is the prerogative of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. We don't have to debate this in public because we have to go through that process."

"Indonesia accepted me as a true friend, so I will never forget that. Indonesia is a neighbour, we share the same roots and have a good friendship. It (Indonesia) was also a true friend at a time when I was cast out and sidelined."

"People can harp upon issues of race or religion, to me, it's completely irrelevant. It's a way and attempt by political leaders to disguise and hijack the central issues of governance in this country. They are going to appeal to the race, including the Malays, that their position, their power base is challenged."

"We have to continue to work together to make sure we save this country from corruption."

"I received a congratulatory message from US (United States) President Joe Biden, who commended Malaysia's inspiring democracy in the recent general election."

"I hope to save the country from corruption, all the money stolen, and give it back to the people."

"We are living in post-normal time as you know, unanticipated. There is something developing, simultaneous, sometimes spontaneous and would require some ingenuity in resolving many problems. Now, look at Malaysia, where is the problem? Political instability will kill the country politically and economically. For the last few years nothing seems to move, no policy, no direction and, because of that, leaders will take the chance to squander as much as possible. So, we have been at loggerheads, sometimes viciously I think, between PH (Pakatan Harapan) and the UMNO-lead coalition of BN (Barisan Nasional), but what was the consensus? That it is enough. We agree that we need stability. We agree that we need to chart a new future for the country. We agree on good governance and leading the country out of corruption and we agree that this is a country that is not racial. A strong Malay-based (society) to address the Malays' concerns, but to be able to embrace and include all races, this is the parameter on which we agree and the strong coalition and partners in Sabah and Sarawak will form a very formidable alliance with a two thirds majority, which makes Malaysia one of the most stable countries in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)."

"I don't think the Myanmar issue should frustrate our (ASEAN) moves. It would be ideal if we have a strong consensus in sending a strong message to the Myanmar regime. You (Myanmar) have every right to have your own domestic policies and priorities, but no country in these times should ever continue with discriminatory policies, marginalization of their people, intimidating, or worse, perpetrating violence against its own people."

"This year's economic performance is encouraging as a result of the reopening of the economy in line with a shift to a COVID-19 endemic phase."

"As what I explained in the previous (parliamentary) session, although it was a decision made by the previous government, to increase electricity tariff, the government now has withdrawn the suggestion and will only impose that on the T20 (top 20 income group) that are the multinational corporations (MNC) and other big companies, unless they are companies that are involved in food security."

"For the January-December 2022 period, Malaysia's export to Brunei increased by 33.3 per cent to RM7.4 billion (US$1.68 billion). Imports from Brunei were recorded at RM5.82 billion (US$1.21 billion), an increase of 154.8 per cent from the previous year (2021)."

"I know there are comments like 'Anwar likes to toy with numbers'. I seldom want to answer these, but I want to say here that any investigation into alleged corruption is for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to look at. But believe me, in my current position, I will not issue baseless statements."

"There are people who asked 'Anwar, if there are wrongdoings, why not prosecute?' Prosecution is not my job. Don't challenge me."

"The problem with our (national) debt is it has already touched RM1.2 trillion and if liabilities are included, the debt is RM1.5 trillion."

"I have left UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) for 30 years. I have nothing to do with UMNO anymore."

"The most important thing is for the country to be politically stable, clear in its direction, and strong in the desire to bring change to restore its dignity."

"As a general rule, previous announcements should be honoured although we might have some reservations. Otherwise, it will cause a lot of disruptions."

"The state and federal machinery should negotiate properly because we are under economic constraints. The national debt (of Malaysia) is estimated to be at RM1.2 trillion and the revenue is getting smaller, while the spending capacity is very limited."

"The issue of welfare is called the Rahmah program. We will make it the theme in all programs to help the poor, especially the hardcore poor, which is our priority in the current government administration."

"Her reappointment as the chair of the foundation received consensus support from all 56 Commonwealth member nations. She is the first Malaysian and representative from Asia to hold the position since the Foundation was established in 1966. Congratulations, Datuk Sudha Devi!"

"If there are minutes that violates laws and regulations, I must be informed. Even if it comes from me. More so if it comes from my officers, the deputy prime ministers or other ministers."

"I also urge all civil servants to embrace the principles of democratic accountability for the sake of the people. As makers and movers of policies, we should not be complacent and must do all we can to effect change."

"His Majesty (Hassanal Bolkiah) has been watching and following our development (in Malaysia). Friendship is important, and ours has been good and...kind of personal. Whenever I'm in distress, His Majesty always shows concern."

"We will give room to the chief minister (Hajiji Noor) to hold discussions and find the best formula for the good of Sabah."

"Yes, I am giving my blessings to Hajiji (Noor). We have given our views. We want Sabah to be strong under (Chief Minister) Hajiji (Noor). Give him the space to discuss and find a good formula for Sabah."

"If we look at the savings in their EPF accounts, the amount is very low. As such, I will have to strike a balance between their current needs and their future. I am very worried about their future, so the government will look for options to assist them."

"Sometimes these politicians will say that if Anwar becomes prime minister (of Malaysia) then Islam will be ruined, secularism and communism will gain a foothold, and LGBT will be recognized. This is a delusion. Of course, it will not happen and God willing under my administration, this is not going to happen."

"I have stressed that Malaysia must be free from the greed of elite politicians in robbing the country's riches for their own benefits. I will not compromise on this matter even though it may jeopardize my own position."

"I hope this visit (to Indonesia) will be able to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries (Malaysia and Indonesia) in addition to exploring new cooperation opportunities through discussions with (the Indonesian) President Joko Widodo, Insha Allah."

"I don't see any (political turmoil) development (here in Sabah). I was just informed that there are some issues and I have asked the (Sabah) chief minister to have a good discussion with friends in Sabah."

"Only 49% of Malaysians had their booster jab (as of today). COVID-19 is still not over, not just in Malaysia but globally. We still have around six million booster doses ready."

"The historical relationship between Malaysia and Pakistan that was established for a long time is not only limited to the current bilateral trade, but also in terms of culture, Islamic understanding and philosophy which has benefitted us greatly."