Anwar: BN will play dirty in Manek Urai
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is confident that PAS will retain the Manek Urai state seat in the July 14 by-election despite an ‘active smear campaign’ by Barisan Nasional (BN).
Anwar, who is head of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance, said BN has resorted to discrediting Kelantan Menteri Besar and PAS spiritual adviser Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, in order to court voters.
“Such a smear campaign (against Nik Aziz) is not necessary but I expect it to increase during the by-election,” Anwar said today.
“This means that BN feels threatened by Nik Aziz’s leadership and capabilities. This is unhealthy in this by-election. Nik Aziz, is a well respected politician and religious leader but, the BN and its media will continue to resort to smear him.”
Anwar said it would not be wise of BN to continue with the tactic.
Nik Aziz has been menteri besar of the state since 1990, while Manek Urai is deemed a PAS stronghold.
Umno and some sections of the media, especially Utusan Malaysia, have begun attacking Nik Aziz of late. The Kelantan Umno Youth chief had lodged a police report against him last week, accusing him of sedition.
The by-election has been called following the sudden death of Ismail Yaakob, who was a five-term PAS elected representative for the seat in Kelantan.
Yesterday BN named Kuala Krai Umno Youth chief Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat, 39, as its candidate against PAS’ Kuala Krai division treasurer Mohd Fauzi Abdullah.
The contest is seen as yet another critical test for premier Najib Abdul Razak and Umno, in capturing a seat in the Malay heartland. Malay voters make up 99 percent of the electorate in Manek Urai.
Anwar made his remarks to journalists in Putrajaya, where his appeal against the transfer of his sodomy case was to have been heard this morning.
However the matter has been adjourned to tomorrow by Justice Abdull Hamid Embong after Anwar’s counsel Sulaiman Abdullah said written submissions had been tendered today by both the defence and prosecution.
“Anwar (also) has to be in Parliament, (so) it would be wise to postpone (today’s hearing),” said Suleiman.
Solicitor-general II Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden concurred, since Anwar is involved in another hearing at the High Court on Wednesday in relation to his application for documents relating to the sodomy charge against him.
Abdull Hamid is sitting with justices Abu Samah Nordin and Jeffery Tan Koh Wha.
Anwar, 61, is appealing against the decision to transfer his sodomy case from the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court to the High Court. The matter will be heard at the High Court on July 8.
‘Give more thought to policies’
Anwar, also blasted the BN government and Najib on not thinking through government policies in terms of liberalising the econom, awarding scholarships and teaching Science and Mathematics in English.
He said BN’s move to liberalise the economy is directed at appeasing certain rich investors, while those who are poor will continue to be marginalised.
“We need a comprehensive economic agenda and not one directed to appease certain parties,” he said.
On the government’s move to award scholarships based on merit, Anwar said Pakatan Rakyat and PKR have been fighting for this.
“The government should stop awarding scholarships to those who are not qualified or to children of very rich Malays’. This has to be based on merit [...] scholarships should also be given to deserving poor and to qualified students,” he said.
“What the BN government is doing is to appease the Chinese but they are singing a different tune when they go to another group like the Malays. We (Pakatan) have always stressed the need to award scholarships based on meritocracy but we are labelled as lackeys of the Chinese.”
In relation to teaching Science and Maths in English, Pakatan has always maintained the need to uplift Bahasa Melayu in national-type schools, said Anwar.
“What they should do is probably start teaching English at an extensive level from secondary and have intensive English programmes at the tertiary level. What is being done at present is wrong,” he said.
He also attacked the proposal to make it compulsory for students to pass English at Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia level, saying rural students would suffer.
“The present policy (teaching of Science and Maths in English) is a violation of the education policy. We do support the need for students to have a good command of English but not in the way it is being done now.”
Hafiz Yatim, Mkini
