ANWAR IBRAHIM SAYS CAN FORM MALAYSIAN GOVT

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on September 15 claimed having an enough majority in parliament to form a new government, sending delegates to embattled Premier Abdullah Badawi to discuss a handover. “We have the numbers to defeat Barisan Nasional (BN),” Anwar told a rally of some 10,000 supporters who erupted in wild cheers. “Tomorrow is…

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June 22, 2022
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on September 15 claimed having an enough majority in parliament to form a new government, sending delegates to embattled Premier Abdullah Badawi to discuss a handover. “We have the numbers to defeat Barisan Nasional (BN),” Anwar told a rally of some 10,000 supporters who erupted in wild cheers. “Tomorrow is D-Day, we are ready to form the government.”
Anwar, a former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, arrived to rapturous applause at the rally held in a Kuala Lumpur stadium. He was cheered with chants of “Reformasi” – the opposition battle cry of “Reform”. After sweeping by-election in his northern home state of Penang on August 26, Ibrahim vowed to unseat the ruling coalition by September 16. In order to call a confidence vote, the opposition needs the backing of 30 legislators from the ruling coalition to get a majority in the 222-member parliament. Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar’s Keadilan party, said they had secured a simple majority in parliament, expecting more government MPs would defect later. The opposition last week accused the governing coalition of sending tens of its lawmakers on an eight-day study trip overseas to prevent them from joining the opposition.

Anwar wants to meet Premier Abdullah to discuss a handover. “Our representatives have delivered a letter to Abdullah to demand a meeting,” he said. “We have the numbers but we want to meet with Abdullah, show him the evidence and work out a handover because we want a peaceful transition.” Tian, information chief of Anwar’s Keadilan party, cited concerns that the ruling coalition might stoke conflict in order to justify a crackdown to keep power.