'SEIZE THE DAY' - Anwar calls on M'sians to support Bersih 4

From behind bars, former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has called on the people to throw their support for this weekend's Bersih 4 rally.

In a statement released through PKR, the jailed leader said this was the moral duty of all Malaysians amid several crises plaguing the nation.

"There is a tide in our affairs which, unless we seize it, will see our voyage for democracy and rule of law in the shallows and in miseries.

"This is the rising tide of corruption and electoral fraud; financial malfeasance; arrogance of power and transgression and judicial impropriety.

"It is therefore morally incumbent that Malaysians join hands in this effort and save Malaysia from the systemic crisis of governance," he said.

Anwar is serving a five-year jail term in Sungai Buloh prison for sodomy, a sentence he claims was politically motivated.

Anwar is largely credited for putting together the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat which saw it winning the popular vote in the last general election.

However, the opposition has blamed gerrymandering for its failure to capture enough Parliament seats to take over the government.

PM plagued by scandals

Following Anwar's jailing, the opposition coalition had fallen apart but efforts are being made to form a new coalition.

The Bersih 4 rally that will take place on Saturday and Sunday will, among other things, call for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's resignation.

Najib is plagued with scandals, including his handling of state-owned 1MDB and the deposits of RM2.6 billion into his personal bank accounts.

Najib's has denied taking public funds for personal gain while his supporters claim the money was a political donation from the Middle East.

Earlier today, the opposition also offered to help BN MPs secure a majority in Parliament to topple Najib in exchange for Anwar's freedom. - M'kini