Anwar’s unity govt talk ‘just a ruse’

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is now at the crossroads and claims to have received overtures from Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on forming a “national unity” government

GEORGE TOWN: Two social activists here believe that the move by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to hint at forming a national unity government is “just a ruse to revive his sagging political fortunes”.

Islam activist Mohammed Hafiz Nordin was responding to online reports after Anwar was quoted as confirming that he has received overtures from Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak on a “unity government.”

Hafiz said Anwar would not stop until he secured the prime ministership because he had already reached the crossroads after failing to win federal power.

When Pakatan Rakyat could not deliver Putrajaya, Anwar first accused the Election Commission of alleged fraud and when that momentum frizzled out, he is now talking about “national unity,” Hafiz said in an interview.

He said the people were fed up because there were macro-economic issues to contend with, such as the rising cost of living and household debt.

The former Penang PAS Youth head said it was rather unsettling why Anwar would confirm an online report that he was receiving “feelers” from Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s camp about the prospect of a “national unity” government.

The “unity” proposal was floated by former vice-president of Indonesia Jusuf Kalla, who is counted as a personal friend of both Malaysian leaders.

Hafiz said the timing of the report quoting Anwar was also interesting as it came when the country was just about to witness party elections in PAS, MCA, Gerakan, MIC and Umno.

DAP, meanwhile, has been directed to hold fresh elections for allegedly violating the guidelines under the Registrar of Societies.

Only PKR seems to be spared from the blushes of party elections, he said.

Secondly, Hafiz said it was an open secret in Pakatan that Anwar’s political clout had apparently nose dived since the general election after he went on record to boast that Pakatan would win, but instead lost.

“Why must Anwar talk about a unity government when in 2008, he had convinced PAS to reject Umno’s desire to discuss Malay unity,” he said.

Stop the charades

Hafiz views were echoed by Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak who said Anwar should stop his “charades” and focus on issues of the people, such as creating jobs, building affordable homes and mitigating healthcare costs.

Rahmad also urged Najib to issue a statement to clarify his position on the proposed “unity” government.

The often “hot and cold” subject of national unity government was first raised by Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, weeks after the 2008 election.

Its mechanism then was about major political parties coming together to form a government based on conscience and consensus, while political rivalry was to be overlooked and replaced by a need for goodwill to move the country forward.

Razaleigh had reportedly said in 2008 that a unity government would work to meet the aspiration of all interest groups.