Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim promises to be a real prickly thorn in Barisan Nasional's side.
In fact, from tonight, expect the former deputy prime minister to kick off three days of “final assault” in Kuala Terengganu.
The Parti Keadilan Rakyat adviser, a perennial crowd puller, will embark on a no-holds-barred onslaught to counter issues raised by BN, and talk that he would reveal the contents of a letter allegedly sent by former PKR Youth chief Ezam Mohd Nor to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and deputy Umno Youth chief, Khairy Jamaluddin, have generated a lot of interest.
Angkatan Keadilan Muda chief Shamsul Iskandar told Malay Mail that Anwar would reply to all issues raised by BN even before nomination day on Jan 6.
“However, the main issue that would interest the people is that he would reveal the contents of a letter sent by Ezam to Pak Lah and Khairy, stating his demands to entice him to join Umno,” he said.
Anwar’s “hot” revelation could well factor into word on the ground that Pas and its Pakatan Rakyat partners are going to “carpet bomb” during the last three days leading to polling day.
Sources within the coalition feel that the fence-sitters would be swung over to their side with Anwar leading the assault.
“Anwar will personally counter BN’s allegations brought up by Ezam. It will be interesting to see how Anwar will counter Ezam’s challenge to reveal the contents of six boxes of secret documents on the wrongdoings of high-ranking government officials.”
The last three days will see an extreme makeover from the preceeding days that had seen the warring parties focusing more on policies and bread and butter issues and avoiding personal attacks.
Both parties have been claiming they have the edge over the other, but the real acid test in wooing “neutrals” over is essentially done in the last lap of campaigning.
Anwar has appeared once in Batu Buruk — the night after nomination at a ceremah that attracted some 20,000 people. That night, Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang also spoke on stage.
Zainal Epi
The Malay Mail
15/01/09
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