Anwar claims power grab for reforms, not greed

KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — Distracted by fresh sodomy claims and with no lawmakers crossing to his side, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reiterated that his coalition wants to form the government to implement reforms and not because it is crazy for power.

Writing in his weblog, the opposition leader said the Umno-BN-owned media has tried to confuse the people recently by saying the Pakatan Rakyat is in trouble, in an allusion to reports of unity talks between Pas and Umno.

"The Pakatan Rakyat desires to take over the governmnt not because it greedy for riches or crazy for power. We are committed to implement the reform agenda that covers economy, culture, education and politics," Anwar said in the posting dated July 23.

"The people are our priority. The change we are fighting for is for all the people, without regard of race or religion," he added.

Anwar disclosed that he took the opportunity to explain his New Economic Agenda to some 100 entrepreneurs that he met on Wednesday and answered several questions about his economic plan, the coalition and the sodomy complaint against him.

But he said the entrepreneurs were complaining about the country's weak economy due to dubious policy implementations by a leadership lacking credibility. "Those mainly affected are the people who are being stuck with rising living costs."

However, Anwar remained defiant to implement his agenda.

"No matter how great the slander towards me, we must still have the aim of moving forward so that in the end, the people will win," said Anwar, who is due to speak at a ceramah in Banting later tonight.

He had earlier cancelled plans to speak in Kuching as the Sarawak police denied his party a police permit.

-TMI