PERMATANG PAUH, Malaysia: The Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he has no qualms about toppling the government with legislative defections, saying the country cannot afford to wait four years for the next elections to bring about change.
"Four years will be disastrous for the economy, the political system, the judiciary," Anwar said late Saturday.
Anwar will contest a local election Tuesday in the northern district of Permatang Pauh for a seat in Parliament. He is expected to win easily despite facing an imminent trial on the charge of sodomizing a male aide, a crime punishable by as much as 20 years in jail.
Anwar's aides say at least 30 lawmakers in the governing coalition intend to defect if he enters Parliament. A former deputy prime minister with ambitions for the top job, Anwar has said he will bring down the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi by Sept. 16.
A government minister dismissed the claim.
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"It is impossible for him to get even one, let alone 30," said Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein.
In general elections March 8, Anwar's three-party opposition alliance won an unprecedented 82 of Parliament's 222 seats - 30 short of a majority - as well as control of five states.
Anwar rejected criticism that a government formed by defections would have no moral authority to rule. He said the opposition would have come to power anyway had the elections been totally fair.
Also, the country is reeling from economic mismanagement and corruption, and should not have to wait for four years for a change of government, he said.
"No, 1, you have a situation where the election was stolen from you. No. 2, there is no direction, no leadership. Can you imagine - with this leadership, this policy, this crime rate, this economy - can the country manage and survive for four years?" he said.
"My point is, we will lose a lot if we wait for four years," he said in the interview in his car while traveling from a public meeting to a mosque for evening prayers.
Anwar could not contest the March elections because of a ban on holding political office stemming from a previous corruption conviction. It was slapped on him in 1998 when he was also charged and later convicted of sodomy. The sodomy conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2004, but the political ban remained in force until April.
Anwar's campaign machinery in his district has overshadowed that of the ruling National Front despite the presence of top government leaders, including Abdullah and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who acknowledged facing "an uphill battle."
While Anwar's campaign rallies have attracted thousands, the National Front meetings have been sparsely attended. Permatang Pauh, a rural district in the northern state of Penang, has been an Anwar stronghold since 1982.
The seat was won by his wife in the March elections with a whopping majority of 13,388 votes. She later vacated the seat to allow Anwar, a charismatic speaker who peppers his speeches with earthy jokes and sometimes fiery rhetoric, to contest it.
On Saturday, many in the audience including a woman in a wheelchair rushed to touch him and whisper words of encouragement - "We are with you!" and "Fight on!" - as he walked to his car.
Anwar has appealed to minority ethnic Chinese and Indians by promising racial equality and equal opportunities in jobs and education. To the majority Malays, he promises a corruption-free administration. And to all races, he promises a massive cut in fuel prices, a major issue with Malaysians, who were hit with a 43 percent increase in gasoline prices in June.
The government reduced the fuel price slightly Saturday in a move seen by the opposition as a political ploy to win voters.
Anwar's popularity has not diminished despite the sodomy accusation - a charge he says is part of a political conspiracy.
His supporters agree.
"From the start, there have been so many obstacles to stop him from contesting," said Hamidah, a government worker. She did not give her full name for fear of retribution.
"We see rampant corruption in the government. We hope Anwar wins and brings good changes," she said.
International Herald Tribune
25/08/08
"Four years will be disastrous for the economy, the political system, the judiciary," Anwar said late Saturday.
Anwar will contest a local election Tuesday in the northern district of Permatang Pauh for a seat in Parliament. He is expected to win easily despite facing an imminent trial on the charge of sodomizing a male aide, a crime punishable by as much as 20 years in jail.
Anwar's aides say at least 30 lawmakers in the governing coalition intend to defect if he enters Parliament. A former deputy prime minister with ambitions for the top job, Anwar has said he will bring down the government of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi by Sept. 16.
A government minister dismissed the claim.
Today in Asia - Pacific
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At least 65 die in Kyrgyzstan plane crash
3 photos emerge of attack in western China
"It is impossible for him to get even one, let alone 30," said Education Minister Hishamuddin Hussein.
In general elections March 8, Anwar's three-party opposition alliance won an unprecedented 82 of Parliament's 222 seats - 30 short of a majority - as well as control of five states.
Anwar rejected criticism that a government formed by defections would have no moral authority to rule. He said the opposition would have come to power anyway had the elections been totally fair.
Also, the country is reeling from economic mismanagement and corruption, and should not have to wait for four years for a change of government, he said.
"No, 1, you have a situation where the election was stolen from you. No. 2, there is no direction, no leadership. Can you imagine - with this leadership, this policy, this crime rate, this economy - can the country manage and survive for four years?" he said.
"My point is, we will lose a lot if we wait for four years," he said in the interview in his car while traveling from a public meeting to a mosque for evening prayers.
Anwar could not contest the March elections because of a ban on holding political office stemming from a previous corruption conviction. It was slapped on him in 1998 when he was also charged and later convicted of sodomy. The sodomy conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2004, but the political ban remained in force until April.
Anwar's campaign machinery in his district has overshadowed that of the ruling National Front despite the presence of top government leaders, including Abdullah and Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak, who acknowledged facing "an uphill battle."
While Anwar's campaign rallies have attracted thousands, the National Front meetings have been sparsely attended. Permatang Pauh, a rural district in the northern state of Penang, has been an Anwar stronghold since 1982.
The seat was won by his wife in the March elections with a whopping majority of 13,388 votes. She later vacated the seat to allow Anwar, a charismatic speaker who peppers his speeches with earthy jokes and sometimes fiery rhetoric, to contest it.
On Saturday, many in the audience including a woman in a wheelchair rushed to touch him and whisper words of encouragement - "We are with you!" and "Fight on!" - as he walked to his car.
Anwar has appealed to minority ethnic Chinese and Indians by promising racial equality and equal opportunities in jobs and education. To the majority Malays, he promises a corruption-free administration. And to all races, he promises a massive cut in fuel prices, a major issue with Malaysians, who were hit with a 43 percent increase in gasoline prices in June.
The government reduced the fuel price slightly Saturday in a move seen by the opposition as a political ploy to win voters.
Anwar's popularity has not diminished despite the sodomy accusation - a charge he says is part of a political conspiracy.
His supporters agree.
"From the start, there have been so many obstacles to stop him from contesting," said Hamidah, a government worker. She did not give her full name for fear of retribution.
"We see rampant corruption in the government. We hope Anwar wins and brings good changes," she said.
International Herald Tribune
25/08/08
1 comment:
Malaysiakini Bloggers Headlines on 27 September 2008.
“Man of Honour” won Landslide Victory in P44 Permatang Pauh!
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!
A defining moment in Malaysian History was achieved when DSAI won the by-election in Permatang Pauh yesterday with a landslide victory over his opponent just 3 days prior to Parliament presenting it’s 2009 Budget (29 August 2008) and 5 days prior to Malaysians celebrating it’s 51st Anniversary of Merdeka (Liberty Day) on 31st August 2008.
Sit tight for the next episode on 29 September 2008, the preview to 16 September 2008 when Malaysia celebrates “Freedom Day”.
More Prophesies at Nostradamus Quatrains on “Wag the Dog” and Nostradamus Quatrains on Malaysia.
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