NAJIB dan MAHATHIR.. 2-2 Sama Saja, 2-2 Kaki Rasuah

By Debra Chong

SHAH ALAM, Nov 29 – PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail today likened the incoming administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak to something “which is no different from the old regime” of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Articulating a widely held view that the impending departure of Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi next March has already seen a return of “Mahathirism,” she said the new administration will bear many similiarities with that of Dr Mahathir’s.

She told more than 2,000 party faithful assembled for the PKR congress here that she expected more arrests under the Internal Security Act (ISA), more corruption and the continued erosion of public institutions, all of which she said were the hallmark of the Mahathir era.

“The transition plan between the prime minister and his deputy will not bring any positive changes to the damage done to the judiciary, the police, the Anti-Corruption Agency and parliament,” she said.

The PKR No.1 also reminded party members to go back to the basic principle of fighting for “justice for all” now that the opposition was only one step away from defeating the formidable Barisan Nasional government.

She said that the party must lead the opposition towards forming the next federal government. She noted that the half a million-strong multiracial and multireligious party held a very important position in the three-party opposition.

Welcoming a large group of delegates and observers from Sabah and Sarawak, she stressed it needed to grow stronger and include all the different races and places.

Wan Azizah said she expected the party to pull off what she said would be an incredible performance at next year’s Sarawak state election

“The party constitution must be updated and its leadership more visionary, sensitive and responsible,” the party president told a stadium full of delegates and observers at its fifth national congress here today.

The soft-spoken lady then announced a special party convention for next February, to take place just before Abdullah’s promised handover of office to Najib.

Wan Azizah said that PKR must lead the opposition in forming the next federal government even though it was younger than Pas and DAP.

The party is only 10 years old but it has half a million members, she said, adding that a large number of Malaysians had given it their votes in the last general elections because they believed in its multicultural message.

The March victory had united the opposition, giving them more chances to truly represent the people, said Wan Azizah. While Pakatan Rakyat has yet to be made a formal coalition, she said it was commited to fight for the rights of all races.

They had signed a “communique” affirming their commitment to the provisions in the Federal Constitution including the positions of the Malay rulers, the special status of Malays, the national language and Islam, she said.

“We are even ready to restore the immunity of the rulers based on the spirit of Constitutional Monarchy,” Wan Azizah declared.

Dubbed “Ibu Reformasi”, the wife of Opposition icon Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stressed the party must grow stronger and include all the different races and places.