KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is unfazed by an imminent leadership change in the ruling party UMNO.
Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi is widely expected to announce on Wednesday if he intends to stand for re-election as UMNO president – who, by convention, is the country's premier.
Mr Anwar, who was speaking after a court appearance on Tuesday, said that the power transition will have no bearing on his plan to take over the government.
Arriving at the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court where he is facing sodomy charges for the second time in 10 years, Mr Anwar was greeted by about 50 supporters – noticeably fewer compared to his past court appearances.
Two months after Mr Anwar was charged, the trial has yet to get off the ground with the defence resisting the prosecution's bid to move the case to a higher court.
Speaking after the case was adjourned, Mr Anwar was pressed by the media on his takeover bid in light of an earlier handover by PM Abdullah to his deputy, Najib Razak.
Mr Anwar said: "It's nothing personal against Abdullah or against Najib, (but) leaders must be credible. We are talking about a system tainted by corruption, condoning criminality. I don't believe that under Datuk Najib, we will be able to garner more support, credibility, manage the economy and rid the country of corruption."
He insisted that he has the numbers and that the 30-odd government MPs, who had earlier indicated their support, have not pulled out.
The opposition Pakatan Rakyat leaders, he said, will convene a special meeting on Tuesday night on a planned no-confidence motion against Mr Abdullah's government.
Meanwhile, the prolonged political battle has worn out many Malaysians. While opinion is mixed as to whom they prefer to be in power, most people whom Channel NewsAsia spoke to said they want a quick end to the political standoff that is dragging down an already slowing economy.
With an imminent change in the country's top leadership, analysts said Mr Anwar, who has lost much of his credibility since September 16 when he failed to seize power, will have a tougher time convincing lawmakers to switch sides in order to move a no-confidence vote in parliament when it reconvenes next Monday.
Channel NewsAsia
08/10/08
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