Putrajaya must solve the issue of electoral fraud in last month’s general election before there can be any talks with Pakatan Rakyat about national reconciliation, declared opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today in Jakarta.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's move to seek reconciliation is mere talk if nothing is done to solve fraud, irregularities and mismanagement by the Election Commission in the general election last month.
"Solve the problem of election fraud. Reconciliation must happen. But whatever happens, the issue of cheating must be handled seriously," Anwar told reporters this morning, according to a report in KeAdilan Daily.
The PKR de facto leader was in the Indonesian capital after a three-day visit to the neighbouring archipelago where he met President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
There was speculation that he would also meet Najib, who is coincidentally in Jakarta.
Anwar denied that the meeting took place.
The Malaysian Insider understands that Najib was also scheduled to have a private meeting with Yudhoyono, who has expressed concern about Malaysia's general election results.
Najib's Barisan Nasional returned to Putrajaya by winning 133 federal seats to PR's 89 in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat. Barisan’s majority was seven less than its victory under then prime minister Tun Abdullah Badawi in 2008.
In his press conference, Anwar repeated his demands for a change in the election commission and also that the government allow the Black 505 rally in Padang Merbok next Saturday that is pressing for such changes.
"Najib must know. The issue is electoral fraud," he said, insisting that the Black 505 rally will be held in Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur, despite warnings that it is illegal.
The PKR leader also criticised the government for arresting 15 participants of a Black 505 "flashmob" outside the Sogo departmental store in the Malaysian capital city yesterday.
He said the arrests were similar to colonial Malaya when authorities arrested those distributing leaflets, which was then an offence.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's move to seek reconciliation is mere talk if nothing is done to solve fraud, irregularities and mismanagement by the Election Commission in the general election last month.
"Solve the problem of election fraud. Reconciliation must happen. But whatever happens, the issue of cheating must be handled seriously," Anwar told reporters this morning, according to a report in KeAdilan Daily.
The PKR de facto leader was in the Indonesian capital after a three-day visit to the neighbouring archipelago where he met President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.
There was speculation that he would also meet Najib, who is coincidentally in Jakarta.
Anwar denied that the meeting took place.
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The Malaysian Insider understands that Najib was also scheduled to have a private meeting with Yudhoyono, who has expressed concern about Malaysia's general election results.
Najib's Barisan Nasional returned to Putrajaya by winning 133 federal seats to PR's 89 in the 222-seat Dewan Rakyat. Barisan’s majority was seven less than its victory under then prime minister Tun Abdullah Badawi in 2008.
In his press conference, Anwar repeated his demands for a change in the election commission and also that the government allow the Black 505 rally in Padang Merbok next Saturday that is pressing for such changes.
"Najib must know. The issue is electoral fraud," he said, insisting that the Black 505 rally will be held in Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur, despite warnings that it is illegal.
The PKR leader also criticised the government for arresting 15 participants of a Black 505 "flashmob" outside the Sogo departmental store in the Malaysian capital city yesterday.
He said the arrests were similar to colonial Malaya when authorities arrested those distributing leaflets, which was then an offence.
"This is a new way for young people to fight for justice and reject racism," Anwar said, adding that there was an increase in the number of youths for such activities before and after the national polls. - June 16, 2013.
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