Anwar promises to reduce petrol price by 70 sen

Anwar emphasising a point in the ceramah

SEBERANG JAYA, Aug 4 — A few days after the government announced plans for a new petrol pricing mechanism beginning Sept 1, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim pledged to reduce the current price by 70 sen if he is in power.

Launching his pre-election campaign here, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader in his homecoming ceramah in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency said last night that price could be lowered due to falling global oil prices.

"Three weeks ago 50 sen but now we can reduce it by 70 sen," he told his supporters of the promise that he would fulfill should Barisan Nasional MPs cross over to his Pakatan Rakyat side.

Anwar is now fully geared to contest in the constituency vacated by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, also PKR president, to make way for him to return to Parliament. The Election Commission will decide nomination and polling dates this Wednesday.

On July 15 at a televised debate with Information Minister, Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Anwar promised to cut petrol price by 50 sen through financing from a RM5 billion fund generated from the independent power producers' extra capacity as well as stopping leakages from corruption.

Last Friday Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the plans to put a cap of RM2.70 a litre this year and keeping the 30-sen a litre subsidy while reviewing local fuel prices against global market price on a monthly basis.

Anwar also hit out at critics accusing him of bribing BN lawmakers and being in a hurry to be prime minister.

"Yes, I can't wait; I can't wait to reduce the petrol price. Is it wrong to promise to reduce the petrol price? We are not trying to bribe the MPs," he said.

Anwar, who is facing fresh sodomy allegation by his former male aide, dropped another hint about his future and freedom.

A section of the crowd listening intently.

"I don't know whether I will be free to campaign but according to the law, I am eligible to contest," he said.

The former deputy prime minister also told Permatang Pauh voters to be prepared for a dirty election campaign mounted by Umno.

"Do not resort to racial politics, I am warning them," he told the multiracial crowd last night. He also reminded the Malay voters not to be taken in by Umno's propaganda that he was no longer interested in defending the Malay rights.

On allegations against him that he was selling out the Malays to the Chinese and Indian communities, Anwar said: "Yes I am a Chinese agent, I am a Malay agent, I am an Indian agent; I am the people's agent."

"On polling day, you decide whether Malaysians can remain united," he said.

He also urged Gerakan and MCA to abandon Umno for the sake of the nation, adding that his plan to take over the federal government by September 16 was still on track.

Before leaving the venue, Anwar appealed to the crowd to assist in the coming by-election campaign. "I hope all of you can come and help at the operation centres," he said.

-TMI