Malaysian opposition says has enough defectors to form Govt
MALAYSIA: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said
Tuesday he has secured the support of more than 31 government lawmakers,
enabling him to form a new administration with a slim majority.
“We have a slight majority, it is in excess of 31,” he said of the
number of parliamentarians from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition
who have agreed to switch sides.
“We have achieved victory. Hopefully with this win we can regain the
country’s dignity.”
He did not reveal any names but said he had asked to meet with Prime
Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss a transition of power and was
prepared to show him the list of defectors.
Abdullah has rejected Anwar’s claims as “political lies” and ruled
out resigning, but the opposition leader urged him to accept a peaceful
handover.
“We have now the required numbers to form a government. The PM cannot
deny us and refuse to engage with an alternative government. I appeal to
the government to allow a smooth transition,” he told a press
conference.
“We want the process to be seen as conciliatory, we want the
transition to be peaceful but we have a limit to our patience. We will
give a few days then we have to reconsider our options.”
Abdullah did not rule out a meeting earlier Tuesday, but his
spokesman Kamal Khalid said it was unlikely.
“I doubt very much he will be meeting with Anwar,” he told AFP.
Anwar urged the government not to arrest his new ministers under
draconian internal security laws, or declare a state of emergency in an
attempt to prevent him from seizing power.
His comments came after a crackdown last week when three people — an
opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a reporter — were
arrested under tough security laws that allow for detention without
trial.
“I wish to emphasise that the change in the process should be
peaceful. We do not want documents and other assets of the government
destroyed. I would like to advise the Barisan Nasional leaders not to
abuse their powers, not to arrest or torture our leaders,” Anwar said.
The 61-year-old opposition leader, a former deputy premier who was
sacked and jailed a decade ago, said it was difficult for members of the
ruling coalition to accept that “their ship is sinking.”
“They are still, unfortunately, in a state of denial,” he said. In
March elections Anwar’s three-member opposition alliance gained 80 seats
in the 222-seat parliament, with the coalition holding 140 and losing
its two-thirds majority for the first time.
KUALA LUMPUR, Tuesday, AFP |