KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said personal views should not supersede the welfare of the people and the interest of the nation.
In his brief reaction to the Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Zahid Hamidi's policy speech at the 2023 Umno General Assembly here today, Anwar stressed it is important for all members of his unity government to fulfil their responsibility for the country.
"Personal experience is important, but it cannot supersede the interest of the people as well as the country," he said.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman and PKR president was attending the Umno General Assembly at Dewan Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre here today.
Anwar is the guest of honour at this year's Umno General Assembly, which ends tomorrow (Saturday).
The prime minister also spoke about the reasons why he accepted Umno's invitation to its biggest annual gathering.
"I returned to this event using the unity platform to strengthen the federal administration which will, in turn, bring benefit to the people," he said.
Anwar's presence today marked his first attendance at the assembly since his sacking from the party in 1998.
"Of course, I feel comfortable attending the event since I am used to the situation surrounding the general assembly.
"And yes, I still remember the lyrics to the Umno song," he said in jest.
At today's Umno General Assembly, Anwar was seen singing along to the Umno song. Apart from Umno top leaders as well as the leaders of Barisan Nasional component parties, several PH top guns were also in attendance.
They included DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
Also present were Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chief whip and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof; and Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal.