Rais slammed for 'revolution' word games and scare-mongering

Pakatan Rakyat leaders slammed Information minister rais Yatim for raising a "tired, old bogeyman" against Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, whom Rais had accused of harboring bad intentions towards the King and the country's official religion of Islam.

"What nonsense. Rais should know better. Amwar was asked in the context of the post-Bersih rally and he is right in saying it paves the way for massive changes. It is a revolution in the sense that at last Malaysians can get the government they want, but when ever has the word 'revolution' means dumping the King and Islam. Rais is making up his own dictionary," slammed PAS MP for Kuala Selangor Dzulkefly Ahmad.

Dzulkefly also told Malaysia Chronicle that Indonesians were watching the political developments in Malaysia very closely and supported the "perubahan" or changes that were finally taking off due to the people themselves no longer willing to accept the old standards or status quo.

In reference to an UMNO newspaper report, Rais hit out at Anwar for reportedly telling the Indonesian press that Malaysia was getting closer to “revolution” after last Saturday's Bersih 2.0 rally.

“We don't accept any form of revolution, because revolution means bloodshed and making changes to the royalty, the right of traditional practices, Islam and Parliament,” he told a press conference on Wednesday.

Word games and scare-mongering

Anwar was quoted as having said: “Kita sudah dekat dengan revolusi". (We are getting closer to revolution)

Rais said Anwar's use of the word revolution reflects the possibility that the PKR de facto leader would resort to violence. He expressed the hope the rakyat would understand that it is Prime Minister Najib Razak - not Anwar - who is leading the country with the majority support of the nation.

“Anwar only represents a minority, but he still used the 'revolution' word, which is very contradictory to the institution of democracy in Malaysia,” he said.

However, Rais drew rebuke for playing "word games" and warned not to try and scare the people.

"In the end, Rais betrays himself. He only wants to score brownie pioints with Najib. In March 2008, we had a tsunami even greater than a revolution. Was there blood shed?" asked Dzulkefly referring to the 2008 general election which saw Anwar and Pakatan sweep to power in 5 of the country's 13 states.

- Malaysia Chronicle