‘Conspiracy, what conspiracy?’

Anwar: There are no signs to thwart me from being PM

DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim has downplayed conspiracies to stall his bid in becoming the eighth prime minister, saying he has no reasons to doubt the agreement made by Pakatan Harapan coalition parties.

The PKR president-elect was responding to Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who claimed that Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s attempts to court Umno MPs was a ploy to thwart Anwar’s bid to succeed Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“I thank him for being concerned over our agreement. But these are all just interpretations by the media.

“Those are the ones who believe in the big conspiracy,” he said, referring to his sacking as the deputy prime minister by Dr Mahathir in 1998.

Anwar acknowledged that there were certain quarters with vested interests trying to create a wedge between him and Dr Mahathir.

“That’s of course useless. Because the PM has made it clear in his statement and speeches, which is to me very reassuring – that he wants total confidence among our leaders.

“Because reform would only be effective and meaningful with the entire leadership wanting to fight corruption,” he said when met at Parliament lobby yesterday.

On claims by Bersatu supreme council member Datuk A. Kadir Jasin that 40 Umno MPs were expected to cross over to Bersatu, Anwar dismissed it as “a rumour”.

However, he stressed that if any Umno MPs decided to jump ship, such a decision should be deliberated by top party leaders.

Anwar also downplayed the six offences, identified by electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0, as having been committed by him in the recent Port Dickson polls, saying that he was not aware it was an offence to attend events organised by local communities there.

Earlier in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar delivered his maiden speech after being voted in as the Port Dickson MP, emphasising the institutional reforms promised by Pakatan.

“Reform agendas are imperative to ensure the country moves beyond its old and obsolete ways.

“It is vital that the government carry out these reformations but it cannot be done alone.

“Reformation is a big commitment and it involves everyone in the leadership, as well as the machinery in the government,” he said while debating the Mid Term Review on the 11th Malaysia Plan.

Anwar said the younger generation might not understand the nuances of reformation as to them, promises – such as job opportunities, proper housing and curbing rising cost of goods – should be delivered.

“But what the Prime Minister has also stressed is a reformation of everything – to rebuild the key institutions.

“Our assumptions that the old institutions can still be used, therefore, does not hold water,” he said.

Anwar hoped that efforts to be taken should not just show the flaws of the old system but also change the judicial system, judiciary and the entire government institution.

“I would like to urge ministers and government agencies to start and ensure the entire government machinery understands the demands from the Prime Minister and the rakyat.

“They are fed up with the old system,” he said.

Anwar also said the 11th Malaysia Plan provided some avenues for the poor and needy but the needs of others, regardless of race, should not be left behind at the expense of economic challenges.