Anwar wants protests over ‘stolen’ Malaysian election
(Australia News Network) – Why do you want me to retire when we won the elections?
Watch the interview at: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-07/an-anwar-ibrahim-calls-for-protests-over-election-results/4673494 or click the picture above.
Malaysia’s Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is urging his supporters to rally and protest against what he says were fraudulent elections.
The ruling National Coalition succeeded in obtaining a parliamentary majority in one of the country’s most closely fought elections.
Mr Anwar has told Australia Network’s Newslinethere’s evidence of fraud in more than 30 constituencies, and he believes his party has won.
He claims the Election Commission may have been complicit in the alleged wrongdoing
“They went ahead and announced the results and even the manner in which the results was announced was so suspect,” he said.
“But even the irregularities are largely known to Malaysians – the fraudulent process, the electoral roll, the presence of foreigners – particularly Bangladeshis and people from Myanmar, the indelible ink which was not indelible at all – this list goes on and on.”
“I think no-one in their right mind could accept this sort of fraudulent process, and massive cheating, to steal an election [that is] legitimately ours.”
Najib Razak’s party maintains a 133 seat majority in the 222-member parliament, and he has been sworn in for his second term as leader.
The Opposition Pakatan Rakyat alliance claimed the popular vote, but was unable to take make a significant dent in Barisan Nasional’s numbers.
Secretary general of Barisan Nasional in the eastern state of Sabah, Abdul Rahman Dahlan has told Radio Australia’s Asia Pacific program the opposition needs to provide proof of fraud or accept the result.
“The prime minister has made it very clear that if they (the Opposition) have proof of any wrongdoings, they are more than welcome to bring it to court, and let the court settle the allegations,” he said.
“So we’re pretty clear with that – we are giving them an opportunity under the law – they can resort to a petition.
“If they allege something that they think was wrong, then it is incumbent upon them to provide proof.”
Mr Anwar has appealed to the Opposition’s supporters not to resort to violence over the results, but has called on supporters to rally on Wednesday to voice their anger in a non violent fashion.
“That is why I have cautioned them to cool off matters for a while,” he said.
“So that we can continue to protest, we don’t accept this election which is clearly fraudulent. But we will advise them to probably have assemblies in contained areas, public fields or public stadiums,”
Mr Anwar is also wearing black in response to an internet campaign demanding people wear black to mark a day of mourning for what they term the death of democracy in Malaysia.
“I leave it to the Malaysian people they are just enraged, you can’t imagine the amount of anger,” he said
“Hundreds of thousands are saying, wear black.”
Mr Anwar had pledged that he would retire as opposition leader if his coalition was defeated at the elections.
“I made it clear that I want to go back to teaching,” he said.
“I’m not giving up my role to advise or participate in the political process, but essentially I’ll be in the back-seat, to allow younger leaders to take the helm of political leadership.
“But here, for now, that question is irrelevant because we won the elections – why do you want me to retire when we won the elections?”