Sept 16 takeover on track, says Anwar

PETALING JAYA: The Pakatan Rakyat’s reform agenda is firmly back on track, and the “New Dawn for Malaysia” is well within reach despite the sodomy charge hanging over him, says PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, who was released on a RM20,000 personal bond without surety on Thursday, said his Sept 16 plan to take over the Government had not been derailed by the impending trial.

“Based on reasonable facts and assumptions, I will say that we are clearly on track, and the Sept 16 date is the reason they are hell-bent on attacking me,” he told a press conference at the PKR headquarters here yesterday.

Anwar had pleaded not guilty to a charge of sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.

Anwar, who remains confident of winning the Permatang Pauh by-election on Aug 26, said he had enough Barisan Nasional MPs who would be crossing over.

“I can confirm that Barisan MPs have given their word that the moment I enter Parliament on Aug 27, they will cross over.

“It may be on Aug 27, or before or after that,” he said.

“The range is comfortable, with the possibility of forming the Government. That is why there is a sense of desperation by some.”

Anwar said he would be heading to Permatang Pauh this weekend.

“Barisan, especially Umno, is taking it very seriously,” he added.

Calling civil society to monitor the election, Anwar alleged that a vicious campaign and character assassination had started on the ground against him.

Dr Wan Azizah said she was confident her constituents would back her and Anwar.

Decrying Umno's Malay-oriented campaign, Anwar said he would champion the cause of all Malaysians.

Reiterating his innocence, Anwar said his being charged for a consensual act only showed that the alleged politically motivated conspiracy against him was falling apart.

Anwar said the medical report and statutory declaration by Dr Osman Abdul Hamid, the Hospital Pusrawi doctor who examined his accuser, raised doubts whether the alleged act took place.

“Give me a break. I have gone through hell already. Let me go on with my life and the election. I am convinced that I will ultimately be vindicated.”