Anwar seeks to meet PM to discuss peaceful transition of power
By Hazlin Hassan, Malaysia Correspondent
Shouting the popular opposition battle cry of 'Reformasi' or
reform, and 'Merdeka' or freedom, the crowd of about 8,000 roared
with approval when Mr Anwar told them that his plan was on
track.
'We want the transition to be made in a peaceful manner. We have
got the numbers, tomorrow is the D-Day and we are ready to form the
government,' he said.
He added that he had sent a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah
Badawi yesterday to seek a meeting with him to discuss 'a peaceful
transition of power' to the opposition.
He said, however, that the opposition would not take over by
force today but instead 'in the nearest time'.
'Why do we not want to seize power tomorrow? We don't want to
force it. We do not want to go to Putrajaya and force them out,' he
said.
'We want to discuss with PM, if he wants a week or two weeks, we
promise we will not follow the rule of the jungle and there will be
no witch- hunt. What is past is past. What we want is to rule
without corruption, detention without trial or the theft of the
people's resources,' he added.
The mass rally in a stadium just outside Kuala Lumpur was
organised on the eve of Mr Anwar's self-imposed deadline to take
over the federal government with what he said would be at least 30
defecting Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs.
He chose Sept 16 or Malaysia Day, on which Sabah and Sarawak
joined the federation in 1963, as most of the MPs he targeted come
from these states.
The rally, which was both a protest as well as a celebration of
Malaysia Day, is a signal that Mr Anwar has no intention of giving
up his plans to seize power even if his Sept 16 deadline is
missed.
Most analysts do not expect a change of government today.
Mr Anwar has also said several times that his plans could be
deferred because of last week's arrests under the Internal Security
Act (ISA) that allows for detention without trial.
But the large crowd that turned up for the rally is a clear show
of strength that signals to the government that he is not defeated,
and has the people on his side.
Nevertheless, observers note that if he is unable to announce
even one defection by today, it would not be a good sign. His bold
declaration would be called a bluff by the ruling coalition, and it
would make it harder for him to convince fence-sitters.
Mr Anwar told his cheering supporters yesterday that if he came
to power, he would abolish the ISA.
'This is an arrogant government that simply detains anybody who
criticises...we want to restore the dignity of all Malaysians.'
Blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin and a Democratic Action Party MP
Teresa Kok remain in custody despite the growing pressure on the
government to release them.
A Chinese press reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was released on Saturday
after being held overnight for reporting on the fiery remarks of an
Umno politician who described the Chinese community as 'immigrants
and squatters'.
The politician, Mr Ahmad Ismail, was suspended by Umno for three
years for refusing to apologise as he insisted that his remarks
were made in a historical context.
The ISA arrests have been neatly turned around by the opposition
to urge Malaysians not to accept another five years of BN
governance.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat treasurer William Leong, in a statement,
said the improper use of the ISA makes it more imperative that
Malaysia does not wait till the next election.
'Now is the time to act, the nation cannot wait for five years.
The ability to allow MPs to cross the floor recognises that there
may be a significant shift in public opinion that does not require
fresh elections but needs to be reflected in the Parliament,' he
said.
The next few days are expected to be tense as all eyes are on Mr
Anwar's movements, and the reaction from the government which has
shown that it will not sit by quietly as the opposition threatens
its position.
Mr Abdullah, however, remained nonchalant about the threat to
his government, dismissing Mr Anwar's claim as 'empty talk' last
night.
'We like to go on and on about this (change of government). It
won't happen,' he said at the breaking of fast with local leaders
and people at the Abidin Mosque in Kuala Terengganu.
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