Foreign invasion plot: There’s proof, says Anwar

Anwar Ibrahim says there is evidence of an Umno plot to use foreigners to win the next general election.

PETALING JAYA: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that there is truth to recent allegations that Umno plans to use foreigners in the next general election to secure a Barisan Nasional (BN) victory and recapture Selangor.

“We have alerted the Bersih (a coalition of NGOs for Clean and Fair Elections) leadership that there are facts and evidence to expose these dirty mechanisms by Umno to issue illegal immigrants citizenship,” he said during a press conference today. “What’s worse is that Umno is making it so difficult for genuine Malaysians to register as voters.”

Pro-opposition blogger Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib yesterday claimed that Umno aimed to register illegal immigrants from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Indonesia as legitimate voters to ensure BN remained in power.

His allegation was rubbished by former Selangor menteri besar Khir Toyo and Selayang Umno Youth chief Sohaimi Shahadan.

Anwar pointed out that political parties are forced to take it upon themselves to register voters, which reflected the “utter failure” of the Election Commission (EC).

“I have already issued a strong warning to (Prime Minister) Najib (Tun Razak’) leadership,” he said. “Do not cheat. Make sure the elections are free and fair. Learn from the experience of other countries.”

“Najib said that Malaysia is not the same as Egypt but (former Egyptian president) Hosni Mubarak said that Egypt was not like Tunisia after (president Zine El Abidine) Ben Ali fled. And (Libyan leader) Muammar Gaddafi said that Libya wasn’t like Egypt either.”

The ousting of Ben Ali saw a similar revolution in Egypt which eventually led to Mubarak’s resignation on Feb 11.

The revolt has since spread to Libya where violent clashes have erupted as Libyans rise against Gaddafi.

‘Not worried at all’

Anwar also dismissed speculation that Najib’s visit to Turkey today would weaken his support from the Turkish government.

Najib’s first official visit to Turkey will include a meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who is known to be a close ally of Anwar.

“I am not worried at all,” he said, with a big smile. “I continue to maintain close relations with the Turkish leadership and have been receiving personal messages from them.”

Noting that Najib took a big entourage along with him, Anwar said, “It is my hope that they learn the capabilities of Islamic states, especially when it comes to free media, rule of law and democracy.”

“I am pleased with the messages that the Turkish leadership there is giving our leaders. You understand what I mean?”

Anwar also expressed confidence in Erdogan’s continuing support for him, saying, “The Turkish prime minister is not Mr 10 percent. Neither is his wife who is a good friend of (PKR president) Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail)”

The term “10 per cent” is used to describe individuals who seek commissions or incentives when bidding for a contract. ‘Don’t need shadow cabinet’

Anwar also rebuffed Najib’s challenge to Pakatan to form a shadow cabinet and instead thanked the BN leadership for finally recognising the opposition’s capabilities.

Najib threw down the gauntlet to Pakatan last week, pointing out that a shadow cabinet was a common practice in other countries and would indicate the ability of the opposition coalition to work together.

“We don’t need to form a shadow cabinet because we already have a parliamentary committee with specific portfolios,” Anwar said. “These committees report to us on the work that they are doing.”

“Yes, some of these committees are not up to mark in terms of …. submission of proposals but most are already functioning. This is how we have managed to come up with the Buku Jingga (Orange Book).”

Pakatan’s Orange Book outlines the coalitions 100-day plan of political and economic reforms once it takes over Putrajaya.

“Najib’s reference to a shadow cabinet is a positive one as it shows that Pakatan’s move towards Putrajaya is not unrealistic,” Anwar said. Fully committed

Meanwhile, Pakatan top leaders gave their assurance that the state leaders would continue being fully committed to serving the people.

Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim, who was also present, announced that the Selangor government would be setting up a RM10 million fund to be used by other Pakatan-run states to spur economic development there.

He said in a statement that Pakatan would put in place a mechanism to counter the negative media attacks as well as work closer together to ensure victory in the next general election.

Also present at the conference was DAP leader Lim Kit Siang, PAS president Hadi Awang and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. - FMT