SHAH ALAM, Mar 8 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today reaffirmed PKR’s and Pakatan Rakyat’s commitment to its reform agenda and slammed the government for not acting earlier to face the economic crisis.
Addressing thousands of party members today to mark the first anniversary of the March 8 elections which saw PR parties win five states and deny the Barisan Nasional its two-thirds majority in Parliament, he also warned his audience to prepare themselves for when Datuk Seri Najib Razak takes over the premiership.
“A new prime minister waits in the ranks, not as a reformer, but to continue to take this nation down the same destructive path,” said Anwar.
He said the government had been slow to react to the global recession, and expressed concern that the stimulus packages being put together now would result in money “ending up in the wrong hands.”
The Opposition Leader spent a good part of the speech trying to get the party faithful to focus on the reform agenda.
He asked PR party leaders to do their best to engage ordinary Malaysians to join the parties in a common movement to achieve more justice.
“You must call on people to be part of this birth of nationalism.
“We must build this nation upon the principles of justice, fair play and opportunities for all,” he said.
He also spoke of the success of PR-led state governments in fulfilling its promises.
“Kedah, which like Kelantan is one of the more economically challenged regions of the country, has dramatically increased its savings through greater efficiency and transparency, freeing up much needed resources to allocate to development projects and social welfare activities,” said Anwar.
Thoudands of PR party members turned up to celebrate the anniversary of Pakatan Rakyat’s victory.
“This has also created an environment more attractive to foreign investment, which in Penang doubled in just one year and in Perak increased to RM3.4 billion. In Selangor it has reached its highest point in nine years, RM11.87 billion,” he added.
Anwar also told party leaders not to be apologetic when promoting equality.
“Why do we have to be apologetic and say sorry for helping the poor Chinese,” said Anwar referring to the PR-led Perak government which awarded freehold land titles to new villagers in the state.
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