Takeover a 'political lie', says Pak Lah

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi scoffed at the opposition coalition’s claims that it has the numbers to topple the Barisan Nasional government as "mere dreams", saying he was under no pressure to resign.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim had said late last night at a massive rally he would form a new administration with defecting government lawmakers, and sought a meeting with Abdullah to show him the list of names and discuss a handover.

"This is a waste of our time. It is a game of political lies by Anwar Ibrahim and the people are choosing to believe him," Abdullah retorted at a press conference.

"He has no substance but the people will continue to be fascinated by him."

Abdullah, who has faced repeated calls to quit since elections in March which saw the opposition dramatically increase its numbers in parliament, said he did not feel compelled to quit.

"Why should I be pressured? It is mere dreams. If at all it is true, (Anwar) would have announced it by now. The whole world would have known," he said.

"Do you think he would ask for a meeting with me to discuss a transition? He would storm into my room with hundreds behind him, shouting victory. This is Anwar's style."

After the elections, Anwar set himself a target of Sept 16 to persuade at least 30 government lawmakers to switch sides and enable him to form a new administration.

'We've got simple majority'

PKR information chief Tian Chua said the three-member opposition alliance had secured a simple majority in parliament and that more government lawmakers would defect later.

But he said there were concerns that the coalition - which has ruled since independence from Britain 51 years ago - would stoke conflict in order to justify a crackdown to keep itself in power.

Abdullah did not rule out a meeting with Anwar, who wants an assurance that the government will not deploy the police and military onto the streets.

"We will see if there is anything concrete to discuss at a suitable time," Abdullah said, but insisted he was getting on with the business of governing.

"Our government is in power, we will continue to do our work," he said, holding a meeting with top civil servants.

He also dismissed suggestions he faces a revolt from within his cabinet, after six ministers spoke out against the arrests last week of an opposition politician, a blogger and a reporter under internal security laws.

"They were giving their views and this is because I allow ministers to express their views," he said.

Letter was on general matters

Abdullah refused to discuss his plan to transfer power to his deputy Najib Razak in mid-2010, which both Najib and influential trade minister Muhyiddin Yassin have now questioned.

The opposition has said Najib and Muhyiddin may be preparing to challenge Abdullah and install themselves as the new premier and deputy.

Abdullah, who has also been hit with the resignation of de facto Law Minister Zaid Ibrahim over the controversial arrests, acknowledged the ruling party had been plunged into disarray since the elections debacle.

"Whatever weakness there is in our party, we will rectify the best we can," he said.

And later at a function in Penang, Abdullah once again brushed aside claims made by Anwar that he has in hand some 31 defectors.

The prime minister added that the letter which Anwar had sent him was to discuss "general matters".

Abdullah reiterated that there was no need for him to meet Anwar, stressing that the PKR leader did not have the numbers and was merely playing psy-war.

Earlier today Anwar told reporters that although he had the necessary number of MPs to form a government, he was hopeful of meeting the prime minister for a smooth takeover.

Next step is to meet the king

The political uncertainty has paralysed investment in recent months and depressed trading on the stock market, which dropped 2.5 percent over last week and another 2.1 percent in early trading today.

Dr Hatta Ramli, from the Islamic party PAS which is a member of the opposition alliance, said that if Abdullah refuses a meeting the next step would be to see the king, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, to claim a mandate to rule.

"The issue of appointment of the prime minister and change of government is very much the role of the king," he said, adding that the opposition now had the support of as many as 116 parliamentarians.

Videos

Watch 5-min video of Anwar's press conference

Watch 46-min video of Anwar's Sept 15 speech in Kelana Jaya

Related reports

Q&A: Cabinet ministers among defectors '

Sept 16 press statement in full

Anwar: We're ready to form new gov't