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.
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