The opposition is a credible alternative to Barisan Nasional (BN) contrary to the perception created by the media, according to Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar told this to reporters on Monday after visiting PKR state assemblyperson Dominique Ng's Chinese New Year open house in Kuching, Sarawak.

The former deputy premier said any perception that the opposition lacked credibility as an alternative was contributed only by the BN-controlled media.

"No, it is not a public perception at all," he stressed.

The opposition, he said, has a clear agenda to establish a good and clean government, to come down hard on corruption, especially in high places.

Asked about the perception that PKR's ties with PAS was doing it more harm than good and it would be better for PKR to work with DAP instead, Anwar said all opposition parties have a common agenda.

"As far a PKR is concerned, it is a multiracial party that is dictated to serving the interests of all communities," he added.

Anwar also refuted claims that PKR was disorganised on the ground. He said the party was working actively in frontline states such as Penang, Sabah and Sarawak.

Wind of change

While addressing party members at the open house, Anwar said he sensed winds of change blowing across the frontline states.

He said if PKR comes into power one of the first things it will do is reduce petrol prices.

On some good signs for the economy, the former finance minister said the growth must be compared with the growth trends in neighbouring countries such as Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

"Compared with these countries, we are far behind," he noted.

Meanwhile, PKR Sarawak was given a morale booster when a Sarawak United People's Party (Supp) strongman in Sibu, Roger Lim Chin Chuang, announced his decision to join PKR.

In a statement, Lim, who was a Supp member for 28 years, said he made the decision after 'taking into account the current political developments nationwide, particularly in Sarawak, and the grassroots encouragement and support.'

The 58-year-old businessman cited five reasons for joining PKR. Among them is that PKR is a multiracial party committed to the principles of power-sharing between all races and human rights in order to create a fair and progressive society.

Another reason, according to him, is the state's 'unfair land policy' that benefitted only certain quarters.