Pakatan leaders opt for peaceful process, says Anwar
Leaders of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition have reached consensus to opt for a peaceful process and to avoid street protests in their attempts to raise the opposition view on the amended Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) 1959.
Leaders of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition have reached consensus to opt for a peaceful process and to avoid street protests in their attempts to raise the opposition view on the amended Prevention of Crime Act (PCA) 1959.
Despite the fact that Pakatan garnered the majority of the popular votes from the just-concluded general election, Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim said the coalition had opted for cautious opposition by avoiding street protests.
“(Prime Minister) Najib Abdul Razak has never shown any appreciation (of Pakatan avoiding protests) and that is why we want a dialogue,” Anwar told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.
The Permatang Pauh MP added that Pakatan would continue to oppose the recently passed amendments to the PCA.
“We (Pakatan) will continue to oppose it (the amendments) by launching a series of campaigns,” he said.
Asked if Pakatan was helpless in going against the amendments, Anwar replied: “Yes, you are right. We have opted for a peaceful process. And yes, we have the consensus to avoid street protests because we have seen too much of this turmoil in many countries.”
Anwar said Pakatan had always been agreeable to tackling crime by enhancing police professionalism and facilities, instead of implementing draconian laws.
'Never take the rakyat for granted'
Ceramah sessions and forums, he said, were crucial to explain to the people that the PCA was not the only weapon to combat crime.
“My advice to the Umno leadership is never to take the rakyat for granted,” he cautioned.
On criticism over the low turnout of Pakatan MPs during the committee stage of the PCA amendments, Anwar explained that some of them were overseas, but 90 percent of the MPs were present.
The PCA amendment Bill was passed with 115 BN votes against 66 Pakatan votes.
For example, Anwar said, his daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai) and Charles Santiago (DAP-Klang) were in Japan to attend Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement negotiations, while Mansor Othman (PKR-Nibong Tebal) and Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan) were performing their pilgrimage in Mecca.
A for the Auditor General's Report 2012, Anwar said the irregularities found in government agencies were getting worse over the years.
He said the people were tired of listening to same old explanations, such as “the irregularities are under investigation”.
In an immediate response, Ahmad Zahid lauded Pakatan’s approach of seeking amicable ways to solve problems but not taking matters to the streets.
“It’s a good approach. And my opinion is don’t take it to the streets because I’m very open for discussion... and I think there is always room for discussion to improvise a few clauses in the Act” he added.
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