Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi must push through the reforms he had promised to send a "clear signal" that he is in charge of the government, said former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

In a two-hour interview with malaysiakini last week, Anwar said the prime minister's reluctance to bring reforms would give rise to the perception that he is being shadowed by his predecessor, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, whose men are still visibly influential in the government.

"My view is that he has to do it for his own survival. If he does not do it in the next few months, I don't foresee an easy path for him. But if he does it, it will give a clear signal that somebody is in charge," said the politician, who was sacked from his posts by Mahathir in 1998.

Anwar said although Abdullah had missed a "major opportunity" to put a stamp on his authority when he romped home with a landslide victory in the March general election, all is not lost yet.

"He lost one opportunity, a major one. But he still has the chance and the time. No matter how hard it is, he has to do it. Fair enough, some actions have been taken against cabinet members or supreme council members - four or five of them. But there is still has a long way to go and he must replace some of the ministers in the cabinet," he added.

Fear not

Anwar also said that Abdullah should not allow his fear of losing support in Umno to become an excuse to not "walk the talk".

"Abdullah waited a year! He should have done it, appoint the right people who have some charisma, credibility and I am positive that they will do well in the supreme council election."

Anwar also dismissed the idea that there would be "revolts" against the premier if he acted against senior ministers tainted with corruption.

"I personally don't feel that there will be revolts if he was to take action against corrupt ministers. (There is talk) that any revolt would cause the downfall of Umno and the BN... but not for this reason.

"...I think I understand the party and how it operates, particularly the grassroots. The corrupt leaders and warlords can pressure the PM but they are also scared, very scared... of the instruments of the government and general public perception.

"He should also understand that the BN components - particularly MCA, Gerakan and the MIC - will not object because throughout history they have been very, very submissive."

Advising Abdullah to do "what is right", he stated: "As I have said even in passing to him: 'You do the right thing.' I mean you do what is right. The right thing is reflected from the pronouncements that he had made. Just follow through. I don't think it's that difficult."

Anwar also spoke on the need for Abdullah to give a clear sign to the authorities, especially the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) and the media that his call for reforms is for real.

"What is stopping a prime minister from meeting editors even if he does not want to give a free hand to the media. He can say to them: 'Look, you have some latitude now on issues of corruption, democratic process, voices of the opposition because I have told the people that we must have this sort of change.' What is so difficult about that?"

Najib 'disappointing'

As for his opinion on Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Anwar said the deputy premier did not have the same stature as Abdullah, both in character and integrity.

"Partly because of the baggage and problems associated (with him). In terms of statements like separation of powers, anti-corruption, we have not seen any pronounced statements from him, which is really very disappointing.

"But I see no reason why he should be a factor or a stumbling block in discouraging Abdullah to do these things."

Anwar also advised Najib "to do the right thing" and not to heed the views that he should be threatened by the ex-deputy Umno leader.

"Najib should just do his work rightly and should not have this complex of being threatened most of the time. Just do your work. OK, you feel threatened but what is the option? Does he think that it is safer for him if Anwar is in prison? What is this?"

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