Anwar predicts more turmoil in Umno
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 18, 2008
Soon Li Tsin

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today warned that the new cabinet line-up will spark more turmoil in Umno.

anwar ibrahim pc 180208 01“Umno’s leadership is in turmoil, (so) expect more turmoil after this announcement of the new cabinet,” he said.

“The other coalition partners are also in serious trouble. They cannot claim to have the support of their own communities and constituents any more.”

However, he did not elaborate on this.

Responding to questions prior to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's announcement of the line-up at noon, he said there is no indication that things are going to change.

“You can change faces, but if it’s business as usual, it does not make any impact. Right now there is no indication that things are going to change fundamentally in terms of politics and the manner of doing their work.

“But we have not seen signs to that effect, especially with the racist undertones voiced by Umno leaders and members which I hope will stop.”

umno 2007 agm rafidah aziz and wanita 051107Anwar also suggested with tongue in cheek that veteran minister and Wanita Umno head Rafidah Aziz would resign.

"Do you know that she will resign?" he quipped at a press conference at his office in Petaling Jaya just as Abdullah was announcing his new cabinet in Putrajaya at noon.

Rafidah, who has held the international trade and industry portfolio since 1987, was the highest-profile casualty of the reshuffle.

Anwar stressed again that the opposition coalition is not like the Barisan Nasional (BN), when asked whether a shadow cabinet is in the works.

“In BN you have the chief dictating; ours is very democratic (where there is a) process of discussion. But our strength is in the principle and our parameters are clear,” he asserted.

Khalid’s request

khalid ibrahim selangor menteri besar pc 170308 01Anwar also revealed that Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim has requested to focus on administrative and party matters in the state, and may give up his secretary-general’s post in PKR.

“Khalid (right) has requested to be allowed to focus on Selangor. I have discussed this with party president (Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) and (deputy) Dr Syed Husin Ali and we have to consider his choice, so we will come to a decision very soon,” he said.

anwar ibrahim pc 180208 04 lim gait tongAnwar also held a meeting today with a delegation from the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong), led by its president Lim Gait Tong (left). Also present was PKR treasurer William Leong.

Anwar told reporters that the federation - which is known to be pro-government in recent years - has taken a keen interest in investing in Selangor and working together with the opposition-led state government.

“They have expressed support on cooperating with the new state governments and with our Malaysian Economic Agenda,” he said.

Before the press conference ended, Anwar expressed his thanks to the press and bloggers for their election coverage which he described as “excellent”.

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