Anwar, on possibly borrowed time and a charm offensive. — file pic
By Clara Chooi - The Malaysian Insider
IPOH, Jan 23 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim promised last night to bring reforms and to turn the country’s economy around within six months if Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is voted into power, pointing out that the coalition of PAS, PKR and DAP were prepared to carry on even if he is sent to jail.
Speaking before large crowds at two separate rallies in Slim River and Sungai Manik here, he said PR’s strategies and plans were already in place, in preparation for the possibility that he may again be jailed because of the sodomy charges against him.
“I know; they want to kill me off. They say that Anwar is dangerous for when he speaks, the Malays listen, and he also commands the support of those in PKR, PAS and DAP.
“So they plan to expedite my trial and throw me behind bars, to get rid of me. But let me say this — Najib, do not think you are God,” he said.
Anwar said that plans and strategies had already been ironed out among the parties of the PR coalition.
“So you can drag me to jail but we have agreed that should this happen, our fight will be even stronger. We will fight you (BN) to the end,” he said.
He also told the thousands in attendance that his colleagues in the PR would stay the course, despite his upcoming trial.
The opposition leader indirectly noted that his trial could very well result in a conviction but promised that such an outcome would not mean the end of Anwar Ibrahim.
His upcoming Sodomy II case, a major corruption crackdown and PR being painted as anti-Islam have pushed the informal alliance to hold nationwide rallies to keep its support against a Barisan Nasional (BN) onslaught.
Anwar, the PR and PKR de facto leader, held two back-to-back rallies in Selangor earlier this week before heading north to Perak last night.
The former deputy prime minister, who led PR to a historic win of 82 parliament seats and five states, did not waste any time in demonising his former comrades in the Barisan Nasional.
“Actually, there is no need for me to give further explanation to you over Umno/BN’s reckless ways.
“What more can I say? We have a state, it gets grabbed; we have a stadium, it collapses; we have jet engines, they get stolen; we have Balasubramaniam, he goes missing; we have Altantuya but she gets exploded. What more explanation is needed?” he said, to rousing applause and laughter.
“Let me ask you today, how many former army servicemen are here in our midst? How much are your pensions? RM600? It is a shame to even say it. After 21 years of service and you earn RM600 while they, after working for just five minutes by signing a document, they get a commission in the hundreds of thousands. And yet, most former servicemen still support Umno,” he said.
He added that it was because of the BN’s incompetency and corrupt rule that Malaysia’s economy is in such rapid decline.
“We have lost our competitive edge. Let’s not talk about competing with economies like Japan and Korea.
“We have also lost to Thailand and Indonesia. When it comes to economic growth, the Indonesians have surpassed us.
“Why? Are we a poor nation? We do not have oil? No oil palm? No manpower? We have everything but it is because of our corrupt politicians who hoard power at the expense of the rakyat that has created this sad reality today.
“How can Malaysia arrive at a stage like this?” he said.
Anwar promised the crowd that if the PR took over Putrajaya, it would change all of BN’s corrupt policies and turn the country’s economy around.
“Give me six months and I promise you we will bring the most lucrative change that we can manage for the people and the country,” he said.
For a start, Anwar said, with a sardonic laugh, that he would take on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Selangor.
“Najib wants to take over Selangor and this is why, over the past few months, the Selangor government has been attacked from all directions.
“(Mentri Besar Tan Sri) Khalid (Ibrahim) told me, ‘Anwar, Najib has taken over as the Selangor Umno chief. We need your help’. Therefore, I have been appointed as the economic advisor for the state.
“Oh, this is good, very good, because now, I have entered the arena and Najib, I will take you on. Insyaallah, we will prevail there,” he said.
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