In Tenang, Anwar dares Najib to get personal

If need be, Anwar said he would dish out the dirt on Najib. — Picture by Choo Choy May

LABIS, Jan 23 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned Datuk Seri Najib Razak from making personal attacks against him in the Tenang campaign, saying he would not hesitate to debate private matters with the prime minister.

In his first public rally for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) since the start of the Tenang campaign yesterday, Anwar said Najib has not responded to his invitation to debate on the economic issues but was only interested in personal affairs.

“When we first launched our Orange Book (on the PR reform agenda), he called it irresponsible so I challenge him to a debate,” said Anwar last night.

“I challenge him to a debate on the economy, but he replied with personal issues,” he said at a public rally near the town centre here.

Early this month, Anwar challenged Najib to a public debate after the latter rubbished PR’s promises launched at the coalition’s second convention last month.

Among the reforms promised by PR within the first 100 days of taking over Putrajaya, is to implement a special RM500 monthly allowance for teachers.

PR also promised to repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA), abolishing the toll system by instructing Khazanah Berhad, Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and other government bodies to take over highway assets from the concessionaires, as well as offering free wireless Internet access to those in urban and semi-urban areas.

Anwar had said that it would only cost the country’s RM19.2 billion to implement PR’s reform plans, similar to the amount used to subsidise independent power producers.

Anwar’s challenge for a debate was later described by Najib as a waste of time and said that the former deputy prime minister would end up with a “fever” if he were to reveal everything.

Najib had said that he was not afraid of the challenge but warned that he and his ministers have all the information on Anwar, who is facing a second sodomy charge in 12 years.

But Anwar said today he was also willing to reveal what he called Najib’s personal affairs if the latter continues to push for such a debate.

“If he wants to debate on personal issues let’s talk about personal issues. I have been stripped before, but as a victim I have the right to defend myself,” said Anwar, referring to his previous arrests.

“Datuk Najib, let me remind [him] for the last time, if he raises personal issues again then I am willing to debate personal issues, but as a responsible politician, I would like to tell him no. Let us focus on economic issues,” he added. - Malaysian Insider