Republican rep advises Clinton to avoid Anwar ... but she won't

Malaysia Chronicle

With two days to go before U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's arrival on Monday, the Umno-controlled media is starting to crank up in earnest all manner of dissuasion against her meeting Pakatan Rakyat leaders Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Kit Siang and Hadi Awang.

And even though Minister in the PM's Department Nazri Aziz might publicly say he has no objection to her meeting them, that's certainly not how Najib or Umno really feels.

Any U.S. acknowledgment of the existence of the Pakatan would be a tremendous blow to the Malaysian ruling coalition. Its message should be taken very seriously by Najib and his Umno-BN.

Welcomed and cheered

At the same, it should be welcomed and cheered by all Malaysians, especially given Najib's recent warning that he will defend Putrajaya at all costs - even if bodies are crushed and lives are lost.

Although, there is no official appointment in Clinton's calendar to formally meet the Pakatan trio, high-level sources tell Malaysia Chronicle that they are likely to be invited to a social function or a meeting that will also be attended by civil society groups.

The Obama administration has said it is keen to show support for democracy and civil society in its foreign policy.

31/10/10