BID TO DESTROY PR HAS BACKFIRED

PENAMPANG: Attempts to cause friction among Pakatan Rakyat (PR) component parties have only resulted in stronger support for the opposition coalition, said de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said this is proven with the number of people attending ceramah (talks) organised by PR component parties.

"In Bera, Pahang, thousands of people came just like thousands of people who welcomed us in Tuaran. In Beaufort where the majority of the people are Muslims, thousands came to listen to our talks," he said at Kg Kituau, Limbanak, here, recently.

The people, he said, are becoming more aware of the opposition's struggles and are rising not only to support it but also to embrace it.

He said the people are getting tired of racism as promoted by certain quarters and that it is time to change.

Explaining, Anwar said the people are rising against the Barisan Nasional (BN) because they are not getting enough support from the government.

He said Sabah is rich in oil and gas and yet many of its people are hardcore poor.

This is because, after oil and gas is extracted from Sabah's shores, the distribution of the wealth generated from its sale does not reach the poor, he said.

He said the people in Sabah have a right to the natural resources and thus should benefit from its exploitation.

Umno, he said, alleged that he is now a Christian based on his activities and views.

"But don't tell me you (Umno/BN) have billions but cannot help the people," he said.

To this, he said, there is a need to return to the 'original democracy'.

However, he said that if a democracy is good, it must be complemented with a good heart.

And this is where "habits of the heart", he said, apply.

Unfortunately, some people never seem to learn the gist of the habits of the heart.

As to the proposed Hudud law by Pas, Anwar said it has been blown out of proportion.

He said anyone, or any parties, could make a proposal but that it must be within the tenets of the constitution.

"This also applies with the Hudud law because we are bound by the constitution," he said.

He said before the Hudud law is even considered under the law, there must be a consensus between the component parties in Pakatan Rakyat.

Hence, if other parties such as the DAP, PKR and SAPP, among others do not agree with the implementation of Hudud in the country, it will remain just a proposal.

Also present were Sabah Reform Movement (APS) President, Datuk Seri Wilfred Bumburing, Sabah Reform Alliance (PPPS) President, Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin and PKR Deputy Secretary General, Darell Leiking.