Najib's efforts at conciliation 'completely dishonest'

Prime Minster Najib Abdul Razak's efforts towards national reconciliation are "completely dishonest" as the Chinese community is continuously linked to allegations of wanting to topple the government, says PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"Yes, Najib's version of national reconciliation is his ‘Chinese tsunami' claim and the ‘Red Bean Army'allegations," Anwar told a press conference after attending the launch of the renovated Permatang Pauh wet market in mainland Penang.

"So far the BN has not changed its tactics of trying to divert the attention of the people from the real issues, that is there have been massive electoral fraud in the just-concluded general election," he said.

"Such efforts (at national reconciliation) are completely dishonest."

Anwar called on Najib to stop trying to deflect the issue of electoral fraud by coming up with baseless accusations of groups planning to stage a coup against the BN.

‘Stop trying to cover up EC's complicity in polls fraud'

"Stop trying to cover up the incompetency of the Election Commission and its complicity in the fraud," he added.

Najib has pinned the blame for BN's failure to obtain a two-thirds majority in Parliament on the Chinese community's surge of support for Pakatan Rakyat member parties.

The BN only obtained 47 percent of the popular votes in the May 5 general election, while Pakatan's popular votes neared 52 percent, leading the party to claim that based on this, it should by right form the federal government.

However, the BN won 133 parliamentary seats and the Pakatan, 89, and this, Pakatan insists, is the result of gerrymandering.

Accompanying Anwar at the wet market was Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who condemned efforts to link the Malaysian chief executive of a Taiwanese electronics company as being behind the so-called Red Bean Army.

Lim said such an allegation placed the country in a negative light in the eyes of investors.

"The Malaysian businessman is a scientist and has totally denied the allegation. He reserves the right to take action against any quarter making such claims," he said.

"Those who made the allegations must come up with proof. The media should not be used to further these claims.

"Such accusations against an investor will also frighten others who are thinking of investing here," Lim added.

He said this in reference to the Utusan Malaysia article of May 31 that said police were investigating the businessman as he was believed to be closely linked to the DAP government in Penang, and was financially supporting the army.

The ‘Red Bean Army' is little known, apart from claims by pro-Umno blogs, Utusan and pro-MCA activist Shen Yee Aun.