We want to wipe out Umno’s brand of corruption, says Anwar

Anwar speaks to supporters at Taman Delima in Kajang, Selangor, yesterday. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, February 22, 2014.Although he is facing an MCA candidate in the Kajang by-election, PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said his fight was with Umno and its cheating ways.

The Pakatan Rakyat candidate said his main focus was to stop the corruption that is being practised by the family members of Umno leaders, even though Barisan Nasional (BN) had named an MCA candidate to contest the state seat.

"Yes the BN candidate is from MCA... but we are not fighting MCA. We are fighting Umno," Anwar told a crowd of 300 supporters in Kajang last night.

"Before I was from Umno. I don't hate Umno members. What I am against, and will fight, is their policy of corruption that continues to burden the people.

"Look at their children (of Umno leaders), (they earn) billions of ringgit. I cannot accept that. Living luxuriously... so wasteful," Anwar said.

Yesterday, BN announced MCA vice-president Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun as their candidate to run against Anwar in the Kajang seat.

Chew, who was present, asked for the people's support, saying that she was up against a politician who was labelled as "world famous".

During his speech last night, Anwar also brought up the ban on the use of the word “Allah” by non-Muslims.

He said that he was also firm in defending Islam, as it was the religion of the state and federation.

"Whoever leads any state in Malaysia, their duty would be to spread Islam, not just in words.

"But we have to respect other religions, only then will they respect us back," he said, referring to his talk at a church hall in Kajang last Sunday.

"Why should I fight with the Christians and Hindu?"

Last night's programme also included 20 Umno members from the Batu 10 branch in Kajang who submitted their applications to join PKR.

The PKR Youth operations centre was also officially opened last night, with Selangor menteri besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim giving a personal donation to the party's youth wing.

At the end of his speech, Anwar assured the crowd that he would always look after the welfare of the Kajang people.

"I am not here as the Parliament opposition leader. I am here to appeal to you as the candidate for Kajang.

"I am not proud... I will carry out my responsibilities," he said.

"I know who I am. At one point I was the acting prime minister. Then, I was also put in jail."