Salleh, a former chief minister and federal minister, said he was confident that Anwar’s political philosophy is different from that of previous prime ministers.

“He is able to accurately identify the main problems facing our country today; corruption, racial politics, and religious manipulation. Such manipulation and narrow political tactics are extremely detrimental to the people and the nation,” said Salleh in a social media posting.

He said that apart from Anwar’s well-publicised fight against corruption, the prime minister had also taken the right political approach by insisting that race and religion should not be politicised.

Anwar sent a very clear message in his speech in Kota Kinabalu yesterday that he will not compromise in the fight against corruption and abuse of power.

At the Sabah PKR convention in Kota Kinabalu yesterday, Anwar urged Sabahans not to be deceived by those who exploit the ‘Sabah for Sabahans’ sentiment merely for personal gain.

Anwar also called on all parties to address long-standing issues in Sabah such as extreme poverty, poor water and electricity supply, flooding, and damaged roads.

“He (Anwar) is very firm in his belief that the nation’s wealth belongs to the people,” said Salleh. “This is good news not only for the people of Sabah, but for all Malaysians.”