Anwar gives no explanation for ‘Kajang move’ in campaign speech
In his first campaign speech since joining a controversial by-election in Selangor, Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim sidestepped growing calls to explain his decision and maintained that it was merely a move to fend off a fierce challenge from the ruling party, said The Straits Times (Singapore).
(TMI) – In his first engagement with Kajang voters, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told them that he intended to use Selangor as Pakatan Rakyat’s stepping stone to Putrajaya, while also turning Selangor into a model state for civil liberties and economic development.
“Why Selangor? And why Kajang, in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly?
“It is our plan to use Selangor as the economic gateway to Putrajaya and Kajang will help us in achieving that,” Anwar said to cheers and applause, referring to the Federal administrative capital that is located about 10km from Kajang.
“We want to turn Selangor, already a model state with its economy, into a better model and a state which is strident in defending the rights of every one of Selangor’s citizens” he added.
The opposition leader, who spoke for about 30 minutes at the Taman Mesra community hall, was in fiery form as he explained PKR’s “Kajang move”, which had not been well received initially though expectations in Kajang have now gone up several notches.
Anwar drew the loudest cheers as he assured that his plan to take Putrajaya from Kajang will not result in voters here being neglected.
“We will not to leave out Kajang from Malaysia’s political map and would develop it on par with Selangor,” he said.
The Permatang Pauh MP made light of a suggestion for badminton icon Datuk Lee Chong Wei to be made a candidate for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the by-election.
“If he comes here to contest, then I will certainly lose… in badminton,” Anwar said, while admitting to being a huge fan of Lee, a fellow Penangite.
“Every time he plays, I would pray for his victory. If he were to contest, perhaps he would pray for my victory instead,” he added in jest.
The PKR tonight put on a united front, with Anwar, Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Selangor PKR chief Azmin Ali arriving together and sitting side-by-side on the stage. Abdul Khalid and Azmin have long been at odds over policies in the state.
Anwar began his speech by repeating his stand that the “Kajang move” was put in action to save Selangor from falling into BN’s clutches.
“We sincerely believe that there are not only valid but also compelling reasons why a seat has to be vacated to enable me to find a rightful and legitimate place in the State Legislative Assembly.
“This is not an academic issue, or, as some have alleged, some kind of fantasy conjured to scare the people.
“It is already happening and even as we speak, it is gaining momentum and intensity,” Anwar said in his speech as the floor greeted it with shouts of reformasi, reformasi.
