Anwar confirms not standing in Kajang, urges people to vote for replacement
Md Izwan, TMI
PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is now looking at a five-year jail term after being found guilty of sodomy, has confirmed that he will not contest in the Kajang by-election.
In a ceramah in Sungai Chua, Kajang, last night, Anwar said he would not be able to contest the by-election after the Court of Appeal had found him guilty of sodomy on Friday, overturning the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s January 2012 decision that had found him innocent.
Nomination day for the Kajang by-election is on Tuesday while polling day is on March 23.
Anwar warned Umno and Barisan Nasional (BN) not to get too comfortable with his guilty verdict.
“What happens now? Because of the court’s decision, I cannot contest. If I cannot contest, is it finished? No. They are making a big mistake.
“I will not contest but a strong representative will contest in my name,” he told a crowd of about 5,000 people at the Sungai Chua night market site.
Anwar also urged the people of Kajang to vote for his replacement.
“We must send a clear message. Come March 11, ask your friends to be present for the nomination.
“On March 23, I ask all of you to teach those who are arrogant and corrupt a lesson,” he said, calling for the people to give their strong support to Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
He had earlier announced that PKR has shortlisted 12 names as his replacement in the by-election. PKR will decide on the candidate and announce it latest by tomorrow.
Anwar, who was cheered at the ceramah, also said he would continue to help the Selangor administration under Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
He said it was decided at the PR meeting yesterday with other member party leaders, including DAP’s Lim Kit Siang and PAS’ Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, that he must play a more prominent role in Selangor to take the state to greater heights.
“I will be here,” he told the crowd.
During another ceramah at Dataran Saujana Prima, Anwar also accused the Court of Appeal of “following instructions” to find him guilty in his second sodomy charge in 15 years.
He said sentencing him to five years jail under the present situation clearly showed that some quarters had interfered.
Anwar said the Umno-BN federal government was afraid of the “Kajang move”.
“This was the first time the Court of Appeal was in session without robes being worn.
“That is because there was an instruction – you settle all cases before the nomination and you must stop the ‘Kajang move’,” he said last night.
Anwar also said he could imagine having to go to jail in two months should his appeal against the guilty verdict be unsuccessful.
“That is their plan, Najib and Rosmah’s, but I pray and hope the people will rise up and bring change,” he said, referring to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor.
He also slammed Tan Sri Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who led the prosecution for the government, and accused him of having political motives.
