Malaysian opposition says has enough defectors to form govt

Agence France-Presse - 9/16/2008 7:47 AM GMT


Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday he has secured the support of more than 31 government lawmakers, enabling him to form a new administration with a slim majority.


"We have a slight majority, it is in excess of 31," he said of the number of parliamentarians from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition who have agreed to switch sides.


"We have achieved victory. Hopefully with this win we can regain the country's dignity."


He did not reveal any names but said he had asked to meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss a transition of power and was prepared to show him the list of defectors.


Abdullah has rejected Anwar's claims as "political lies" and ruled out resigning, but the opposition leader urged him to accept a peaceful handover.


"We have now the required numbers to form a government. The PM cannot deny us and refuse to engage with an alternative government. I appeal to the government to allow a smooth transition," he told a press conference.


"We want the process to be seen as conciliatory, we want the transition to be peaceful but we have a limit to our patience. We will give a few days then we have to reconsider our options."


Abdullah did not rule out a meeting earlier Tuesday, but his spokesman Kamal Khalid said it was unlikely.


"I doubt very much he will be meeting with Anwar," he told AFP.
Anwar urged the government not to arrest his new ministers under draconian internal security laws, or declare a state of emergency in an attempt to prevent him from seizing power.


His comments came after a crackdown last week when three people -- an opposition politician, a prominent blogger and a reporter -- were arrested under tough security laws that allow for detention without trial.


"I wish to emphasise that the change in the process should be peaceful. We do not want documents and other assets of the government destroyed. I would like to advise the Barisan Nasional leaders not to abuse their powers, not to arrest or torture our leaders," Anwar said.


The 61-year-old opposition leader, a former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed a decade ago, said it was difficult for members of the ruling coalition to accept that "their ship is sinking."


"They are still, unfortunately, in a state of denial," he said.


In March elections Anwar's three-member opposition alliance gained 80 seats in the 222-seat parliament, with the coalition holding 140 and losing its two-thirds majority for the first time.


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