Exactly ten years ago deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim was banished into political oblivion by his boss Dr Mahathir Mohamad - spending six years of that decade in prison. Sep 2 will always be etched in his mind.
Today the prodigal son remains a ‘prime minister-in-waiting' although this time on a very different platform - the multi-racial opposition party PKR which he leads.
On the 10th anniversary of his sacking, Anwar looks like a leader ready to take the reins of the country, as he talks about his alternate budget and his plans to form government by Sep 16.
During his press conference at the party headquarters in Petaling Jaya today, the 61-year-old PKR leader was dealt with a barrage of questions on his takeover plan through the defections of at least 31 Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs.
He was asked to confirm on a widespread rumour that he was scheduled to have an audience with the King at the Istana Negara today to submit the name list of BN defectors.
Responding, he grinned and said: "There are rumours of me going to the Istana, (but) not yet."
Anwar however conceded meeting BN parliamentarians lately and described the progress of his plan as "very good".
"Yes, I have met some MPs from Sabah, Sarawak and the Peninsular. My colleagues and I are finding it very difficult to meet them because we are monitored by Special Branch 24 hours a day, but we still have managed to meet them," he said.
To fresh speculations that Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin is a possible defector to PKR, Anwar brushed it aside and described it as mere rumour.
Rumour is rife about Muhyiddin - the international trade and industry minister - who is seen as being ‘marginalised' in the party after being vocal about the party's leadership.
Looking forward to my ‘present role'
Anwar himself reminded the journalists the significance of the day, but it could be sensed that the anger had long disappeared with him smiling when talking about the tumultuous period when he was forced out of government.
His wife, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail by his side looked serene while Anwar spoke.
Anwar was asked on his feeling over his 10-year anniversary of sacking from government.
Anwar was asked on his feeling over his 10-year anniversary of sacking from government.
"Now I am looking forward to my present role," he said, although he did not elaborate on what he meant by the term ‘present role' - if he was alluding to his ‘prime minister-in-waiting' role.
"Today I focus on the economy to show my experience in the past, eight years as finance minister was not put to waste. I can understand the budget better and help craft the budget in a more responsible manner, that's precisely my intention as far as the economic growth (is concerned).
"As for my love of my country, I think the country can be more resilient and I have great faith, with the correct leadership and responsible policies, we can move forward very fast," he added.
Anwar returned to active politics officially with his landslide victory in the Aug 26 Permatang Pauh by-election, where he won the parliamentary seat with a 15,671-majority votes.
He was previously barred from running the office following his conviction from corruption and sodomy charge during the 1998 episode. The sodomy charged was later overturned.
To another question, the PKR leader said he has yet to declare his by-election campaign expenses.
There were questions raised as to whether he violated the allowed campaign expense limit considering his army of election posters and banners - outnumbering the BN candidate's - throughout the campaign.Under election laws, a candidate for a parliamentary seat cannot spend more than RM200,000.
Responding on that, Anwar replied: "I did not (exceed the amount). I did not. Many of the posters were homemade."
news n photo courtesy of Malaysiakini
1 comment:
i'm glad with anwar's reply saying not meeting agong yet. i feel that even with enough defectors, he and they should 'quietly' seek an audience with agong becuase we don't want barbaric nationalists to order for road blocks again , implementing isa or worst, state of emergency or sending agong to some other places for holidays.
on question about anwar spending the exceeded limits during p44, he should also have ask back the reporter what is the outcome or actions been taken ob bn over-spending in the last general elections.
on question of disclosing anwar's new budget, i think its too soon to do so because stupid bn will take theses ideas and claim credit for it!! do so only after having the blessing of agong in recorded real time and well documented because agong has the FINAL SAY whether to have more MPs to join PK will make them become the government!! bear in mind that anyone who goes against agong is considered as treason !!
on bodowi's overspending of budget, anwar and other component parties should make more noise !! he doesn't care the way he spends will will make malaysia bankrupt in reserves because by 2010, he will have fly alway to some other countries with loads of malaysian ringgit along with him!!
who dares to become prime minister will no money then?? its the same as in business. who dares to become the new boss of a company that has huge debts to settle and business operations is not doing well.
last but not least, i sincerely hope anwar has the blessing of our mature and rightous agong and can overcome the heavy hordes of wild dogs in order to help rakyat malaysia . may allah be with you and family and PK members and friends. LONG LIVE MALAYSIA WITH PK!!
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