One Man with a team against all-comers in UMNO-Barisan Nasional

September 26, 2008

Now, only ‘boss’ Anwar can speak

Andrew Ong | September 25, 2008

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has told his supreme council members to stop issuing statements regarding Pakatan Rakyat’s plans to seize federal power. MCPX Several council members told Malaysiakini that the decision was made following several statements issued by Pakatan leaders which could jeapordise the coalition’s plans. “From now on, only the boss can issue statements (on the matter),” said one source, who attended the meeting at PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya last night. Among the issues which led to the decision included Parit Buntar MP Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa claims that Pakatan would seek an audience with the king soon. Another recurring issue was statements by Pakatan leaders who publicly expressed fears that should Pakatan form the federal government, it should not have a non-Muslim majority. The latest incident involved PKR information chief Tian Chua, who told reporters that Pakatan’s representatives had made initial contact with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s men. Anwar denied Chua’s statement yesterday adding that the former may have been misinformed. In his blog today, Anwar had urged unspecified individuals to display “ethics” in disseminating information “to avoid any misunderstanding of facts”. Religious issues Sources also told Malaysiakini that Pakatan’s plans to seize federal power was discussed during the meeting and that it was “on track”. However, the list of Barisan MPs supposed to cross over to Pakatan is still a highly guarded secret and not shared during the meeting. “Anwar has just talked to PAS and DAP leaders. Now he is briefing us about the outcome,” he said. On Sept 23, Anwar held talks with PAS spiritual advisor Nik Aziz Nik Mat and party president Abdul Hadi Awang in Kota Baru. He also held talks with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng. According to sources, Anwar also showed a document signed by the three party leaders on a common understanding on religious and racial issues.