'We won't hit the streets for you again, Anwar'
MalaysiaKini.com
Oct 17, 2014

A NGO, which is often seen as leaning towards Pakatan Rakyat, has urged Anwar Ibrahim to retire, saying that the people are "tired" of him.

In a hard-hitting statement, Lensa Anak Muda Malaysia (Lensa) coordinator Ekhsan Bukharee reminded the opposition leader that it is no longer the era of 1998 and 1999, which witnessed the birth of the reformasi movement.

With his political rivals hell-bent on destroying Anwar, he said, even if the Federal Court upholds his appeal, there could be similar cases in the future.

"Because you are still here, your enemies will continue to strategise to get you imprisoned and all the power of the regime is used to kill your political struggle.

"Even if you win the appeal, there might be Sodomy 3, Sodomy 4 and Sodomy 5 which will only victimise the rakyat who continue to be dragged into the dirty politics," Ekhsan (right) said.

Despite the authorities claiming otherwise, Anwar has always maintained that the sodomy charges against him were fabricated by his political rivals.

Settle down in Turkey

Stating that it would not take to the streets again to champion his cause, Ekhsan said: "If you go to prison, do you think we will be in solidarity with you, (protesting) in front of the prison? Do you think we will flood the streets with shouts of 'reformasi'?"

"No. This is not 1998 or 1999. We choose our own struggles, and you have chosen to be imprisoned when there are other options for you to take," he added.

Ekhsan said perhaps the time had come for the 67-year-old politician to throw in the towel and focus on his personal life.

He also questioned the reason the opposition leader did not accept the invitation from Turkey to settle down there.

Lensa, which at the height of the Selangor crisis called on PAS troublemakers to be reined in or expelled in order to strengthen Pakatan, also asked how many more times Anwar intended to drag the people to the streets for him.

"Until when do you want to see the rakyat expose themselves to the heat and be drenched in sweat just to be in solidarity with you?" added Ekhsan.

The Lensa statement comes as PKR Youth launched a campaign for the people to express solidarity with Anwar ahead of his appeal.

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