Tuesday 16 September 2008

Anwar: We've more than 31 defectors

Malaysiakini http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/89807

Update:

Abdul Hakim Bujang Sep 16, 08 2:40pm

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said today he had signed up more than 31 defectors needed to form a new government and called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi not to implement emergency rule to thwart a takeover.

"We have a slight majority, it is in excess of 31," he told a packed press conference held at 2pm in the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

Anwar, however, did not reveal the names of the lawmakers but had asked to meet with Abdullah to discuss a transition of power and was prepared to show him the list of defectors.

"We name them now and they get harrassed immediately. So I'm telling you now that I will choose to confide in the prime minister.

"And if he wants the list I will show the list at the meeting. Until the right opportune moment, we can't declare. We know how the system operates," said Anwar.

Abdullah has rejected Anwar's claim as "political lies" and ruled out resigning, but the opposition leader urged him to accept a peaceful handover.

The prime minister did not rule out a meeting earlier today, but his spokesman Kamal Khalid said it was unlikely.

"I doubt very much he will be meeting with Anwar," he told AFP.

However, Abdullah said in his constitutency of Kepala Batas this afternoon that he would not entertain Anwar's request to meet him until the list of defectors is made public.

Ministers are on the list too

Anwar urged the government not to arrest his new ministers under draconian Internal Security Act, or declare a state of emergency in an attempt to prevent him from seizing power.

His Pakatan Rakyat alliance - made up of the PKR, DAP and PAS - now holds 81 out of the 222 seats in Parliament. Its rival, the Barisan Nasional coalition led by Abdullah's Umno party, currently has 140 seats.

To overthrow the Barisan, Pakatan would need another 31 members of parliament to join its camp for it to hit 112 seats, the minimum simple majority required.

Anwar also said that many BN MPs were keen to join in forming a new government.

"It keeps increasing by the hour... seriously. I'm not joking. This morning, I received a signed note from another member. What do you want to know? You want to know if we have the numbers. We've the numbers!" he added.

He revealed that these included cabinet members and their deputies.

The 61-year old Anwar, who has been in talks with a number of disgruntled backbenchers, also said he wants Abdullah's assurance the power transition could proceed smoothly.

Peaceful transition

Abdullah had last week shocked the nation by arresting three civilians under the country's draconian Internal Security Act, which allows for police detention without trial.

The move, which sparked widespread condemnation, was seen as a means to shore up his political standing within his Umno party and also as a warning to Anwar's Pakatan.

“We want a peaceful transition. We hope that Barisan (Nasional) will not put up emergency rule to stop MPs from going to Parliament or arrest (government) MPs or stop them from joining Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.

"That's why we have taken a very soft, conciliatory option. I am not making excuses. We have the numbers. We can and are prepared to move. If after a few days there is no response, Pakatan leaders will meet and see what is the next course of action."

Pakatan leaders had yesterday sent a letter to Abdullah, requesting for a meeting.

"We give the PM time to consult and act responsibly as head of the country to heed the wishes of the people," Anwar said.

"I believe he will meet and we will have to wait today or tomorrow. He is a politician under siege, so you can forgive him for sounding desperate."

"We are looking at a matter of days (for a change in government)," he added.

"We've not given any ultimatum to Abdullah. We've said it is of national importance, it is incumbent and urgent for any sitting prime minister to respond positively in the interest of the nation and not just to appease the upheavals and turmoil within Umno," said Anwar.

According to Malaysian law, the king has the right to accept and formalise any new government that can show proof of sufficient mandate in Parliament.

This means that Anwar can approach the monarch with proof that he has the support of enough MPs to be the new leader.

Alternatively, the king could order fresh general elections, provided the prime minister - either outgoing or incoming - recommends it.

And Anwar said that his first option was to discuss the takeover with the prime minister before going to the king.

Earlier report below:

Sep 16, 08 2:40pm

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim insisted he has in excess of 31 government defectors and call on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi not to implement emergency rule during the takeover.

At a packed press conference at 2pm today, he urged the ruling Barisan Nasional to commit to a peaceful handover of the government and not resort to emergency rule.

“We want a peaceful transition. We hope that Barisan will not put up emergency rule to stop MPs from going to Parliament or arrest (government) MPs or stop them from joining Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.

He has sought a meeting with Abdullah to show him the list of names of defectors and to discuss a smooth handover.Anwar will need at least 31 defectors from BN and perhaps over 40 to form a stable Pakatan Rakyat government.

[More to follow] - Malaysiakini

7 comments:

son of Dulla said...

We have a dream ...

Anonymous said...

So when is he forming the new gomen?

Cant wait to know who the defectors are.

Anonymous said...

Now, if Anwar really has the number as he mentioned earlier..then why didn't he go straight to parliment and file a no confidence motion against PM. Anwar is saying that he wants to talk to Pak Lah, to ensure the transition to be smooth and peaceful?!
WTF.
What he has done these past few months are far from being peaceful or berbaik-baik.. and now he wants to talk, to be nice?
This is man is too much. Too many lies..
Might as well admit that he's in deep shit right now for making such promise to the whole Malaysians.

Anonymous said...

Kenapalah rakyat masih terpengaruh dengan Anwar? Kalau betul senarai nama MP BN yang nak lompat ke Pakatan tu ada di tangan beliau, kenapa tak diumumkan? Itu satu hal. Beliau juga tak perlu hantar surat dan tunggu jawapan daripada Pak Lah.

Kalau betul 31 MP BN nak sertai atau dah sertai Pakatan, kenapa tak go through Parlimen. Ia adalah cara paling sesuai dan lebih bermaruah daipada nak rampas kuasa macam lanun.

Adalah lebih baik jika betul 31 MP BN sertai Pakatan, buat usul undi tak percaya kepada pimpinan Pak Lah di dalam Parlimen. Biar Yang Dipertua Parlimen membawa usul itu kepada Yang DiPertuan Agong untuk dinilai. Barulah dinamakan cara yang bermaruah daripada nak rampas macam lanun...

Sudah la Anwar.. Jangan main psikologi dengan rakyat. Rakyat dah bosan... Cukuplah...

Anonymous said...

Haih, kalau betul ada, dah lama dah dia sapu kerajaan. Konon sangat nak buat cara terhormat. Selama ni memang cara lanun je perangai. Kenapa tiba2 jadi baik pulak? Kalau betul dia ada semua tu, dia takkan tunggu lagi dah, buat apa nak tunggu lama2? Dah lama dah dia dok meleleh cerita pasal ni, takkan tiba2 nak lepak2 dulu. Kamon lah..

Anonymous said...

Haih, kalau betul ada, dah lama dah dia sapu kerajaan. Konon sangat nak buat cara terhormat. Selama ni memang cara lanun je perangai. Kenapa tiba2 jadi baik pulak? Kalau betul dia ada semua tu, dia takkan tunggu lagi dah, buat apa nak tunggu lama2? Dah lama dah dia dok meleleh cerita pasal ni, takkan tiba2 nak lepak2 dulu. Kamon lah..

Anonymous said...

Cool it and be patient. 16/9 is just a date to confuse Pak Lah and when it passed without anything happening Pak Lah & BN will relax and explosion will come. Do you think a smart general will reveal to his enemy the real date he will attack? If Pak Lah thinks so it will be good for Anwar. People say Anwar is a liar when he failed to be PM on 16/9. But the bigger liar is someone who said petrol price would be increased in August but
did it in Jun and parliament wouldn't be dissolved tomorrow but you all knew what happened.

frm: not compulsive liar