KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday he has enough support to topple the government and wants to meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss a handover.
Anwar held a mass rally on the eve of a deadline he has set to seize power with the help of defecting government lawmakers.
He arrived to rapturous applause from up to 7,000 supporters gathered at a Kuala Lumpur stadium which echoed to chants of "Reformasi" - the opposition battle cry of "Reform".
Officials from his Keadilan party said Anwar would make a speech that could shed light on his plans to topple the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, which has dominated Malaysian politics for half a century.
But there were mixed messages over whether he will on Tuesday declare he has the support of the 30 lawmakers he needs to form a new administration, and formally challenge Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Tian Chua, information chief of his Keadilan party, said the three-member opposition alliance had signed up enough defectors to form a simple majority in parliament and that Anwar wanted to meet with Abdullah on Tuesday to inform him.
"We want Abdullah to assure us there will be no repressive force used, like involving the police or inviting the military to take control," he told AFP.
Tian Chua said the opposition's push had been helped by a government crackdown on Saturday that saw an opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a journalist detained under draconian internal security laws.
"Abdullah's final crackdown made people lose hope that he is ever going to be a liberal reformer, which he promised," he said.
However, Keadilan vice-president Syed Husin Ali was more cautious, declining to specify how many defectors were on board and only saying that "tomorrow the beginnings of the process will happen."
"The whole process might take a month but it could be sooner," he told AFP. "You never know, he might announce something this evening. And tomorrow there will definitely be an announcement of something."
Spirits were high at the stadium, which was emblazoned with Malaysian flags and posters demanding the release of the opposition politician and the blogger - who remain in custody after the journalist was freed.
"I am sure Anwar will form the next government, as we the people have spoken as we want to see a new Malaysia led by Anwar," said 54-year-old taxi driver Yaacob Ismail.
The opposition made surprise gains in March general elections, seizing control of five states and a third of parliamentary seats in the biggest challenge ever faced by the coalition.
"My entire family is here, we want to tell Abdullah to leave now. I am confident Anwar will form a new government soon. We are very excited. I can't wait," said Juliette Ramasamy, a 24-year-old student. -
ANWAR SLOGAN.
TODAY WE form the Government
Tomorrow The Fuel Price will drop to MYR 2.00/-
Currently Fuel is MYR 2.55/-. We will face LONG QUE to Causeway Once Again.
Looks like UMNO is self destructing. Dr M will be the first to run if Anwar takes power.
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It is heartening to know that there are honorable ministers in Malaysia.
Originally posted by Itedino:ANWAR SLOGAN.
TODAY WE form the Government
Tomorrow The Fuel Price will drop to MYR 2.00/-
Currently Fuel is MYR 2.55/-. We will face LONG QUE to Causeway Once Again.
And then, the whole Malaysia will become a true and full Muslim State, then our SAF weak legs boys will have to picnic along the coast.
Originally posted by AndrewPKYap:
Malaysian Law Minister Quits as Government Faces Growing Pressure ...
Voice of America - 3 hours ago
By Nancy-Amelia Collins A Malaysian minister has quit his post in protest about the government's crackdown on the opposition by using a draconian law which ...
Malaysia minister resigns as cracks appear in Govt Stuff.co.nz
Malaysian minister quits in furore over crackdown AFP
UPDATE 1-Malaysian minister resigns as cracks appear Forbes
Bloomberg - Earthtimes (press release)
all 668 news articles »
It is heartening to know that there are honorable ministers in Malaysia.
It is heartening to know that unlike our PAP Ministers, die die also never quit
"the whole Malaysia will become a true and full Muslim State,"
This cannot be, certain percentage of our imported pork still need to come from there!
Originally posted by ahtansh:"the whole Malaysia will become a true and full Muslim State,"
This cannot be, certain percentage of our imported pork still need to come from there!
can have muslim pork mah. Muslim dun say they dun like pork, they just dun eat pig.
Wait, you guys are talking about full muslim state after anwar take over?
Originally posted by White_SoulReaper:Wait, you guys are talking about full muslim state after anwar take over?
No, we are referring to full Moon over the Muslim state if Anwar took over, if not half moon only.
This man (anwar)is full of shit man.. Sweet talker, wait an see what he have. i don't think mahathir will run anywhere he will fight him (Anwar)