The Inquisitor
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 772
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 Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 12:28 pm Post subject: Malaysia: People’s Alliance ready to topple government? |
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obmar,
What's going on there? I haven't been taking in much of the info over there because everything seems to be going along hunky dory. Now I read this:
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2008/748/38666
| Quote: | 25 April 2008
There have been dramatic developments in Malaysia since the ruling National Front (BN) government had its majority in parliament reduced sharply in the March 8 general elections. Opposition parties, which won five out of 13 state governments, formed a new People’s Alliance (PR) on April 1. At this stage, the PR comprises the Justice Party (PKR), the Islamic Party (PAS) and the Democratic Action Party (DAP).
Police disrupted a large opposition rally on April 14 to mark the end of the government’s five year ban on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim participating in politics. Anwar claimed at the rally he now has enough defections from government MPs to form a federal government, but would not make the move until he increases his majority.
Green Left Weekly’s Peter Boyle interviewed S. Arutchelvan, the secretary general of the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) on April 18. The PSM won a state and federal seat in the recent election, running under the logo of the Justice Party because the government refused the PSM registration as a political party — branding it a “threat to national security”.
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You were present at the police disrupted April 14 opposition rally. Can you describe what happened?
It was a huge rally, drawing easily more than 20,000. Around 10.20pm, about 20 police personnel moved towards the rostrum while Anwar was still speaking. Anwar spoke to the police, told the crowd to be calm and then he announced that he was ending his speech. He thanked everyone. The crowd then dispersed peacefully.
At 6.30am the next morning, the police went to serve 111 notices to four leaders of PR. This is sheer harassment and an infringement of the freedom of assembly.
@question = Are Anwar’s claims of having enough government defections to allow the PR to form government true?
Anwar seems very confident. There definitely seems to be such a situation, especially in parties belonging to the BN government in East Malaysia.
There is definitely a chance of people defecting to the opposition, but at the same time I don’t think BN is going let it happen so easily. On the sidelines, former PM Mohamed Mahathir is trying his best to get rid of PM Abdullah Badawi and replace him to safeguard his own interests.
I think, if the defections from BN are very large and Anwar gets the full backing of the kings [Malaysia has several kings who take turns as head of state] and the army/police, he would be able to take government.
If PR wins government, Anwar would lead it and form a multi-party government. I am also confident that the people will fight back if there is an attempt to clamp down on the PR.
Such a government would be popular and would bring some immediate reforms — like abolishing the repressive Internal Security Act (ISA) and allow the freedom of the media and register parties like the PSM. |
I haven't heard of any rioting in the streets, but is there tension building that might turn violent??
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Malaysia: People’s Alliance ready to topple government?
