Soi Lek’s attack: Anwar finds it strange

On a sarcastic note, the opposition leader says that the MCA president of all people should not resort to such attacks.

SHAH ALAM: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim took a sarcastic swipe at MCA president Dr Chua Soi Lek for resorting to personal attacks in the run up to the Tenang by-eletcion.

Anwar had reporters in stitches when he said, with a smirk, that he found it strange that Chua of all people would focus on such attacks.

“To me, it’s pathetic for Chua to talk about personal issues,” he added.

Although he did not elaborate, it was clear that the opposition leader was referring to the MCA president’s infamous sex scandal.

Anwar was commenting on Chua’s criticism of PAS candidate Normala Sudirman for not wanting to shake hands with male voters, a move which also earned the MCA president a rebuke from Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

Defending Normala, Anwar said that even his wife, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, does the same.

Diverting attention

He accused MCA of trying to divert the attention of voters from the real issues by resorting to personal attacks.

“What’s the issue…? Only because she won’t shake hands… (Wan) Azizah (Wan Ismail) does the same. This is not an issue but a way to divert from real issues like corruption, Barisan Nasional’s policies and the weakness of their own candidate.

“He (Chua) talks about personal things, that is not right. It is better for them to concentrate on their strength. But this is MCA which is like Umno,” he said.

Anwar said that when he challenged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to a debate on the economy, the latter had attacked him on a personal basis instead.

“I asked to debate about the ‘Buku Jingga’ but the prime minister did not want,” he said, referring to the book released by Pakatan Rakyat on what it would do in the first 100 days after coming to power.

“But if they are adamant in wanting to debate about my private life, then I am ready. All questions pertaining to my sodomy trial will be answered.

“But Najib also has to answer to issues of stealing another man’s wife, the Port Dickson case, murder and so on. We can do this, if this is what Najib wants,” he added.

On a sarcastic note, Anwar thanked Najib for indirectly publicising Pakatan’s 100 day plan by criticising it.

Previously, Najib warned Anwar not to push for the debate because he could divulge information that would lead the latter to develop a fever.

However, the opposition leader said he could take medication for his fever, and reiterated his challenge for the debate.

Commenting on yesterday’s emergency Selangor State Legislative Assembly sitting, Anwar congratulated Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim for creating awareness among the public. - FMT