Anwar: We are ready to take over to form the new govt

Excerpt from Malaysianinsider.com http://m.themalaysianinsider.com/articles.php?id=9037-anwar-we-are-ready-to-take-over Anwar: We are ready to take over

By Shannon Teoh and Debra Chong PETALING JAYA, Sept 15, 2008 - Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed tonight that his Pakatan Rakyat alliance is ready to form the government in the next 24 hours, but pointed out that the opposition was, however, prepared to delay the formation. Speaking at PR's Malaysia Day celebrations at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya, he reiterated that the opposition coalition had the numbers in hand to form the next government. While Anwar made his claim, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi scoffed at the suggestion at a separate function tonight that the opposition was on the verge of forming the government.

Anwar, however, also suggested the change of government may not happen within the next day. He also made a raft of guarantees - to free all ISA detainees, reduce the cost of living immediately after taking his oath of office as prime minister. "Once I take the oath of office, we will free all the ISA detainees," he told the cheering crowd. Anwar also mocked Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar for suggesting Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng was arrested to protect her from threats to her life. "When they arrested me they even asked me to take off my underwear. What kind of protection is that?" he said.

COMMENTS:

Whatever the past wrongful deeds of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had done, forgive him and support him to form the new govt for a trial, to see how well he can perform. People (Rakyat) have the power to vote them out if he did not perform. Now at least, let him form the new govt for a trial. Let the Rakyat (People) stand by him in the next 24 hours or days ahead to realise the dreams and wishes of the People.

As for the ISA detainees MP Teresa Kok & Blogger Raya Petra, they should be released immediately because they are not armed terrorists nor from any illegal party known in the country to pose a threat to national security. The ISA is meant to combat armed personnel such as communist terrorists who were from banned political party whose objective was to revolt and overthrow the govt by weaponry or by force. Those 2 civilians are not armed in any way except the knowledge to seek justice. By detaining them without trial, great injustice has been done; the govt resorted to the law of the jungle to punish those whom they dislike.

As for unlawful detention of Sin Chew Reporter Ms. Tan for 18 hours, great damage has been done in the country and in the field of journalism. Whatever the PM said he had big ears to listen, is proven untrue by using the ISA to silent the critics and even journalist whose report was true and transparent. People have to continue to fight on until the ISA has been amended to define those people who are considered a threat to national security must meet the terms of armed personnel from a banned or illegal organisation planned to revolt or overthrow the govt. If there is no such element to overthrow the govt by force, then ISA should not be unlawfully used on the civilians. The term civilians is clearly that they are not armed terrorists.