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(The Star) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has claimed that he has enough lawmakers to form a new government but has officially delayed the takeover deadline.
He said he was prepared to delay the deadline “in the interest of a smooth transition of power”. He was also ready to show Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi the list of Barisan Nasional MPs defecting over to Pakatan Rakyat should Abdullah granted him a meeting. “The numbers are increasing by the hour, but as of now, it is in excess of 31 MPs, This is not empty talk. I am fully responsible for my statement but we have choose to be patient and use the conciliatory way,” Anwar told a packed press conference at the PKR headquarters. The Opposition leader said he would even give Abdullah the list of names of Barisan MPs wanting to defect at their meeting. “I am appealing in the name of political stability and smooth transition. It will be preposterous for the Prime Minister to deny me this meeting. He has no choice but to negotiate since we have the numbers,” said Anwar. Asked why he still refused to give the exact number of defecting MPs, or their names, Anwar replied there was fear the MPs would be detained or harassed. Pressed for a deadline for the meeting, Anwar said he did not like to give any ultimatum but it should be within these few days or other options would be considered. Asked if he would seek an audience with the King and present himself as commanding majority in Parliament, or would he seek a no-confidence motion against Abdullah at the next Parliament sitting in October, Anwar was non-committal and said such options would be discussed at the highest leadership level in PR. He said PR submitted a letter requesting Abdullah for a meeting on Monday. The letter also sought for the assurance that the Barisan government would not: 1) HINDER or prevent the MPs from acting in accordance with their conscience, constitutional rights and independent judgment; 2) INVOKE the Internal Security Act to detain the MPs or any other current Pakatan MPs; 3) INVOKE emergency laws or police powers or suspend the Constitution or dissolve Parliament; and 4) IMPOSE roadblocks or impede MPs from going to Parliament or any institutions of government.
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