Anwar stays mum over Sept 16

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim did not offer any new explanation over his failure to topple the Barisan Nasional-led federal government at the annual PKR congress today.

Anwar, who is also PKR de facto leader, did not explain why the takeover did not happen during his much-awaited speech - which lasted for about 20 minutes - at the congress this morning.

He merely touched on the subject in passing at the outset of his speech, admitting that the change the opposition promised the rakyat would take place on Sept 16 is yet to happen.

"Our wish to change the government is not about personal political ambition or greed. We want a just system, an independent judiciary and a professional police force.

"Despite all the sabotage and plotting (towards the Sept 16 plan), our desire to bring about a new dawn for Malaysia will never be quashed," he told a 4,000-strong crowd at the Malawati stadium in Shah Alam, Selangor.

He later moved on to other topics, including the economy and the Sarawak state elections.

In a copy of his speech distributed to reporters, Anwar conceded there were setbacks to his plan but said the party’s "march to victory" had merely been delayed.

He did not explain the reasons in the written speech, which he did not read out at the congress.

The 61-year-old former deputy premier also evaded a press conference held during a break later. The media session was instead attended by his wife, party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and other party leaders.

Many were expecting Anwar to issue a proper explanation at the congress over his failure to meet his self-imposed deadline of toppling the BN federal government.

Prior to Sept 16, Anwar had consistently said he had enough BN lawmakers to defect to the opposition alliance, Pakatan Rakyat, and obtain a simple majority to form the government.

Following the takeover failure, the PKR leader merely attributed the reasons to purported harassment from the authorities on those who intended to defect to Pakatan but did not reveal any names or details on the ‘defectors’.

Party deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali at the opening of the party’s Youth and Women’s wings meet yesterday said Anwar and Wan Azizah would explain on the Sept 16 plan today.

However, Wan Azizah also did not offer any explanations in her policy speech this morning.

Despite the lack of an explanation this morning, party officials and Wan Azizah said Anwar will elaborate on the matter at a ceramah (political talk) at the stadium tonight.

Vice-president Azmin Ali said the explanation will be made at the ceramah instead of the official congress because "the ceramah is also part of the congress".

Meanwhile, in his speech, Anwar said the party will mobilise its big guns to Sarawak to start preparing for the Sarawak state election.

He said a rally is being planned next month in the state to kick off the party’s campaign.

Party officials said they expect the state election to be called by June next year, although it is officially not due until 2011.

"Hopefully there will be change in Sarawak and hopefully, there will be a bigger change in the country," he said, before ending his speech.

Anwar’s speech was preceded by speeches from several leaders including former MCA Wanita leader Tan Yee Kew and Sarawak’s Ngemah state assemblyperson Gabriel Adit (right).

Adit, who was an independent state assemblyperson, joined PKR early this month.

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