JAKARTA, April 8 — De facto Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was coy about his plans after April 14 - when he is eligible to take part in politics - repeating that his interest is in ensuring a cohesive Pakatan Rakyat and improving the economic and social conditions in the five states under his coalition.
"What do I do next on the 14th, Que Sera Sera," Anwar told reporters in Jakarta after giving a keynote lecture in conjunction with the 100th birthday of Indonesian ulama and novelist Hamka.
Under Malaysian law, convicts cannot take part in politics for five years after their sentence ends. Anwar was sentenced to six years' jail for corruption on April 14, 1999 but served two-third due to good behaviour with the sentence ending April 14 2003. He was released from jail September 2, 2004 after he won an appeal against a sodomy conviction.
"But of course I look forward to... after all it is a decision by a corrupt court, a compliant court under the instructions of Mahathir. I don't give a damn what they say," he said.
He also disclosed that the pact had not decided whether to propose a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi when Parliament convenes on April 28, 2008.
"We have made no decision on whether we want to propose a special resolution or motion of no confidence. We are more interested in governing the five states in a fair and transparent manner for all races."
However, he cast doubts that Abdullah can last long as a prime minister.
"Now what Abdullah said that he is the prime minister and Anwar is the prime minister-in-waiting, that is his view. I hope he can still be prime minister for some time," said Anwar, who was clad in a suit with a red checked tie.
He dismissed Abdullah's remarks over the weekend that deputy prime minister Najib Abdul Razak would succeed as prime minister.
"He has been the anointed successor long before the Mongolian case and other controversies, it is of no consequence to us," Anwar added.
The Opposition leader returns to Kuala Lumpur this evening from Jakarta. -- themalaysianinsider
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