Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim signaled a further delay yesterday in his bid to oust the government, saying his alliance would avoid any “hasty action” that could ignite instability.
Anwar has claimed for months that he has convinced enough lawmakers to defect to his side to unseat the administration of Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The ruling coalition has dismissed Anwar’s claim as a bluff, especially after he missed his self-declared target of Sept. 16 for seizing power.
Anwar said in a statement the opposition remained “confident that the people’s desire for change shall soon be attained.” He did not set a new deadline.
“We will proceed cautiously toward our goals and we agreed neither to be provoked into hasty action nor to take an irresponsible approach that would lead to instability and greater uncertainty,” Anwar said.
His comments came amid a postponement in court hearings involving a charge that Anwar sodomized his 23-year-old former male aide. The Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court yesterday scheduled Oct. 7 for a hearing on whether to transfer the case to a higher court.
Anwar said he has written to Malaysia’s constitutional monarch about political issues, but denied he sought an audience with the king, who can appoint a new prime minister. Anwar said his aim was to meet Abdullah to discuss a voluntary power transfer.
“I appeal to Malaysian citizens, particularly to those who want to see a change, to understand this and be a bit more patient because we do not want to transgress the constitutional rules and procedures,” Anwar told reporters outside the court.
Anwar has rejected the sodomy accusation as a government conspiracy to block his political ascent after his People’s Alliance coalition won an unprecedented 82 seats in the 222-member parliament in March elections. Government authorities deny any plot.
Prime Minister Abdullah has accused Anwar of undermining security and has rebuffed Anwar’s demands to meet with opposition leaders.
BACKLASH: The National Party quit its decades-long partnership with the Liberal Party after their election loss to center-left Labor, which won a historic third term Australia’s National Party has split from its conservative coalition partner of more than 60 years, the Liberal Party, citing policy differences over renewable energy and after a resounding loss at a national election this month. “Its time to have a break,” Nationals leader David Littleproud told reporters yesterday. The split shows the pressure on Australia’s conservative parties after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s center-left Labor party won a historic second term in the May 3 election, powered by a voter backlash against US President Donald Trump’s policies. Under the long-standing partnership in state and federal politics, the Liberal and National coalition had shared power
A Croatian town has come up with a novel solution to solve the issue of working parents when there are no public childcare spaces available: pay grandparents to do it. Samobor, near the capital, Zagreb, has become the first in the country to run a “Grandmother-Grandfather Service,” which pays 360 euros (US$400) a month per child. The scheme allows grandparents to top up their pension, but the authorities also hope it will boost family ties and tackle social isolation as the population ages. “The benefits are multiple,” Samobor Mayor Petra Skrobot told reporters. “Pensions are rather low and for parents it is sometimes
CONTROVERSY: During the performance of Israel’s entrant Yuval Raphael’s song ‘New Day Will Rise,’ loud whistles were heard and two people tried to get on stage Austria’s JJ yesterday won the Eurovision Song Contest, with his operatic song Wasted Love triumphing at the world’s biggest live music television event. After votes from national juries around Europe and viewers from across the continent and beyond, JJ gave Austria its first victory since bearded drag performer Conchita Wurst’s 2014 triumph. After the nail-biting drama as the votes were revealed running into yesterday morning, Austria finished with 436 points, ahead of Israel — whose participation drew protests — on 357 and Estonia on 356. “Thank you to you, Europe, for making my dreams come true,” 24-year-old countertenor JJ, whose
Two people died and 19 others were injured after a Mexican Navy training ship hit the Brooklyn Bridge, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said yesterday. The ship snapped all three of its masts as it collided with the New York City landmark late on Saturday, while onlookers enjoying the balmy spring evening watched in horror. “At this time, of the 277 on board, 19 sustained injuries, 2 of which remain in critical condition, and 2 more have sadly passed away from their injuries,” Adams posted on X. Footage shared online showed the Mexican Navy ship Cuauhtemoc, its sails furled