Anwar Ibrahim Disappointed With Sinar Harian Report

A Sinar Harian report didn’t go down well with Anwar Ibrahim as he was misrepresented in his comments regarding the power transition between Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak

Anwar Ibrahim

Sinar Harian has incorrectly reported in today’s edition (“Anwar akui Najib dapat lebih sokongan” ) that I believe Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would be a more effective leader than Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Sinar’s reporting clearly misrepresents comments that I made on October 7 on the issue of the UMNO power transition.

On the contrary I believe it would be an unmitigated disaster for the nation if Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were to become the Prime Minister.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has clearly indicated that as Finance Minister he plans to continue the failed economic policies of the Badawi Administration. His assertion that Malaysia will not be adversely affected by the global economic crisis is deeply troubling and reflects a failure to comprehend the challenges our nation will face in the coming months and years.

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has given no indication of his commitment to judicial reform and anti-corruption. These are issues that the Malaysian people expressed deep concerns over in the March 8th election and the Permatang Pauh by-election.

Malaysians fear that under Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak democratic freedoms will be curtailed and the use of draconian laws such as the Internal Security Act would be extended.

Lastly, the unanswered questions about Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s alleged knowledge of commissions paid in the acquisition of military equipment from France and Russia and the murder of the Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu looms like a dark cloud over his position within the government.

To have such a compromised figure at our nation’s helm would certainly cripple our reputation in the international community and would have a chilling effect on the impression that foreign investors have of Malaysia.

I ask Sinar Harian to immediately publish a correction and would expect more responsible and more accurate reporting from them in the future.

ANWAR IBRAHIM
Opposition Leader
KeADILan de-facto Leader