Anwar defends Harapan from call for protest votes

TANJUNG PIAI POLLS | PKR president Anwar Ibrahim came to Pakatan Harapan's defence last night amid a turn in Chinese sentiment.

Speaking at a ceramah, Anwar admitted there were still problems within the government, including some people in government who act more like Umno than the Malay party does.

However, he said, this is part of a process and the government should be given time to address this and other issues.

"People say 'we want to teach the government a lesson so that they know there is opposition'.

"The Chinese are not happy, they support Harapan but are not happy. Malays, meanwhile, think we have become DAP and that I am a DAP member," Anwar said in Pekan Nanas.

Chinese voters that Malaysiakini  spoke to in Tanjung Piai indicated that there is an undercurrent of discontent that will lead to protest votes against the ruling coalition.

Bersatu sources said an internal report showed that Chinese support was on the downtrend while there was improved Malay support.

Anwar said he had been briefed that there was a strong anti-DAP sentiment in some divisions, which he rebuffed.

"Some people say this is all DAP's fault... What do they mean DAP's (fault)? Why do we want to be enemies with DAP?

"If DAP is stealing money then we fight, if they are corrupt we fight, but if they are with us to help the people, we support them," he said to cheers from the crowd of some 400 people.

Anwar repeated the same message when he went to the night's main Harapan ceramah near Pontian town, where about 700 people were in attendance.

This has been the best turnout for Harapan thus far during the election campaign.