Anwar, in Bangkok, predicts early general election

The opposition leader of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, has predicted the 13th general election in Malaysia to be held sooner than expected.

He said most of the opposition coalition leaders in Pakatan Rakyat had, during a recent meeting, predicted the election be held either in May or June.

They based their predictions on the various recent government assistance to the people that is scheduled to be delivered by March, he said.  

“But I think it will be held sooner. Why? Because I can read their mind as I used to be one of them, too,” he said during ‘An Evening with Anwar Ibrahim’ at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) in Bangkok last night.  

The five-year term of the current Malaysian government led by Barisan Nasional (BN) ends in March next year and the general election need to be called before that dateline.

In a surprise move, Anwar defended the Malaysian government’s move of not condoning terrorism activities.

Answering questions from the floor on allegations that Malaysia has been associated with terrorism activities including venue meeting, training and sanctuary for terrorists, Anwar said: “I have no evidence that the Malaysian government is involved in this kind of activities.

“There is no reason for the Malaysian government to have links with terrorists.”

Anwar was invited by the FCCT to share his views on the latest developments in Malaysia.

Anwar, among others, touched on democracy, governance, election, corruption, media and economic situation in Malaysia as well as other international issues.

He also commented on PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat’s statement that the former retract his purported statement of supporting all actions to safeguard the security of Israel as quoted by the Wall Street Journal or sue the newspaper if it carried inaccurate report.  

Anwar said he would meet the PAS leader to explain the matter upon returning home later.

- Bernama