Anwar unfazed at likely suspension from Parliament
By Clara Chooi, The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 24 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim scoffed at speculation today that he would likely be suspended from Parliament next month over the APCO issue, pointing out that he had “gone through worse”.
The opposition leader admitted that he had heard rumours of his likely suspension but claimed that he had not received any official notice from Parliament or the House’s Rights and Privileges Committee which investigated his claim that government public relations consultant APCO Worldwide was linked to Israel.
“I have not been informed although my colleagues are quite aware of the rumours so let us see what will happen. There has been no information, no notice of any meeting. So it is interesting how this government works.
“Apparently, there is a decision made known to many people but yet, the committee has not even convened. Notice of the meeting was not even given…. so, welcome to Malaysia,” a smiling Anwar (picture) told reporters at a press conference after chairing the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leadership council meeting in Parliament this evening.
He also laughed off the implication that the punishment was viewed as the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition’s attempt to cripple its foes in PR, ahead of an impending general election.
He pointed out that in comparison to his six-year incarceration and many other punishments meted out to him in the past, a six-month suspension paled in comparison.
“They have imprisoned me for six years, so what is a six month suspension? I have gone through worse. They have assaulted me, stripped me naked, placed me in solitary confinement and now they want to suspend me for six months?” Anwar said, laughing.
The Malaysian Insider reported today that on the final day of the ongoing parliamentary session this December 15, the opposition leader will be made to answer for his APCO-Israel jibe from earlier this year, under recommendation from the House’s powerful Rights and Privileges Committee.
The committee is expected to recommend a suspension order against PR’s de facto leader, said to be a thorn in the side of the ruling government which suffered severe losses in the last general election.
In Election 2008, Anwar and other opposition leaders agreed not to fight each other ad ended up sweeping five states and denying BN its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority.
It is believed that Anwar will be suspended for at least six months from the House but will continue to receive his MP’s salary.
The Malaysian Insider understands, however, that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had initially been against the idea of meting out such a punishment to the opposition leader for fear of public backlash, but had relented after being convinced by his BN aides.
The prime minister had apparently also met with Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia over the issue today.
The move is believed to be a strategic attempt by the ruling BN coalition to throw the opposition momentarily off guard ahead of an expected general election, believed likely to be held in the first quarter of next year.
