Opposition momentum slows

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 — The stalemate between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) over the formation of a new government came no closer to a conclusion today, with opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim staying silent so far as the deadline set by him for BN to reconvene Parliament passed.

Opposition leaders are also acknowledging the fact that Malaysians were getting "frustrated and angry" over the many "delays", and some are already saying that a change of government may not happen any time soon.

While Anwar has made no statements so far, his party's information chief Tian Chua claimed that contact had been made with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi.

The claim was swiftly denied by Abdullah, who said "that's the craziest report", when asked to comment on the claim as reported by a news agency today.

Chua claimed that PR intermediaries had been in touch with Abdullah over Anwar's demand for a smooth transition of power.

Anwar had also demanded the PM reconvene Parliament today for a vote of no confidence against the BN government.

"We get the sense that the PM's stance is softening," he told The Malaysian Insider today, in reference to proposed discussions concerning a transition of power to Pakatan Rakyat.

He added that this was because the premier was being threatened not just by Pakatan Rakyat but by his own colleagues in Umno who were "unfriendly" as compared to the opposition.

But even the maverick Batu MP admits that things have come to an impasse in their ambitions to topple the BN government and acknowledged that people are becoming "frustrated and angry" with the delays.

The DAP's Tony Pua also concurred that people were getting increasingly restless after the huge build-up.

"But after 50 years of rule, BN is not going to let go so easily," said the party's publicity secretary.

Personally, Pua said he was willing to wait until the next general elections despite Anwar's stand that the need for change is urgent.

"We have to look at the big picture and five years is a very short time after waiting for 50 years," he implored.

PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar told The Malaysian Insider that he expects the stalemate to continue for years to come.

He believes that whatever happens in the near future, the disputes "are not going to stop" until a general election is held.

"You can't even be sure that a motion of no-confidence will be heard in Parliament when it reconvenes on Oct 13. The government can put it on the order paper but at the back so it'll never be heard before the end of the day," he said.

"But we are planning quite a few possibilities to do our level best to live up to expectations for a change in government. Even from before this, we had outlined plans for Sept 16+1, 16+2, even 16+20 and more too," he added.

For now, PKR vice-president R. Sivarasa could only give an assurance that the party is in the midst of consultation with its partners in PR. He added that Anwar would make a statement following these discussions.

-TMI