Malaysian Election: Mass Resignations From Anwar Ibrahim's Opposition Party in Crucial Swing State of Kelantan

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (ots/PRNewswire) -

- More than 150 party members of PKR Party abandon Anwar and
accuse him of placing self-interest above grass roots issues

Malaysia's self-styled opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim suffered a
major blow today when, with less than three days to go before the
March 8 general election, a group of 150 PKR party stalwarts
including the State Treasurer of his party in the conservative
Islamic state of Kelantan deserted him and the party.

The mass walkout, including 11 senior party officials, was
described at a news conference by Nor Azman Md Mi, the PKR state
treasurer, as a protest because the party leadership placed self
interest ahead of the party.

The desertions are an embarrassment for Anwar because he was
hoping to win seats in the state of Kelantan, where the race is very
close.

Critics in the ruling coalition have accused Anwar of being an
opportunist because he has forged an alliance in the current
electoral campaign with the hardcore Islamist party PAS, which
controls the northeastern state of Kelantan.

At the press conference, Nor Azman claimed the choice of PKR
candidates in Kelantan was never discussed at state level, but were
imposed on the grass roots party in the state by representatives of
Anwar, who is de facto leader of the PKR even though he is currently
banned from electoral politics because of a previous corruption
conviction.

Although Anwar has been presenting himself as a democracy
campaigner to the international media, this is the second time in as
many days that some of his closest party supporters have denounced
him.

The mass resignations Wednesday followed the denunciation earlier
this week of Anwar by Professor Chandra Muzaffar, a former Deputy
President of Anwar's party, who accused him of "deceiving" Malaysians
by manipulating racial politics and said at a public debate: "If
Anwar Ibrahim becomes the prime minister it will be an unmitigated
disaster for Malaysia."

In recent days, as the election approaches, Anwar's claims have
become increasingly wild. On Tuesday, he claimed an attempt would be
made to smear him, telling supporters not to be surprised if reports
emerged "linking me as an agent of China, India and the Jews."

The state of Kelantan, controlled by PAS, is a key battleground
in the election, and senior government leaders, such as Prime
Minister Abdullah Badawi and his deputy Najib Razak have campaigned
there several times in recent weeks, urging voters to place their
faith in the National Front's moderation and proven management of the
high-growth Malaysian economy.

"Why on earth should voters have any trust in the opposition or
its leaders when so many of their own members clearly do not?," said
a BN party spokesman Wednesday, reacting to the news of the mass
resignations.

"It is clear that as the election nears, the more people see of
the opposition, hear what they have to say and see what they offer,
the more voters are becoming convinced of the risk they represent to
the stability, security and prosperity of Malaysia," the spokesman
added.

Kelantan has a population of approximately 1.4 million and is
situated in the north of Malaysia, bordering Thailand. PKR's ally,
the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) has been in power there for 18
years. Kelantan has a GDP per capita of about RM8,700 almost 45%
lower than the national figure. Kelantan also has the third highest
rate of poverty in Malaysia. Progress in literacy is the third lowest
of any state in Malaysia.

ots Originaltext: BN2008 News
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Chong Sin Woon of BN2008, +6019-382-8461,
campaignupdates@BN2008.org.my