Pakatan Rakyat is now concentrating on ways to mitigate the impending storm of global economic crisis and taking over the federal government is not a priority.

“The country is heading towards turbulent times. We should set our priorities right,” Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim declared in Penang today.

anwar ibrahim pkr national congress 291108 04 “At present our three main priorities are first, economy, second, economy and third, economy,” he replied to a question from the floor after delivering his keynote address at the international conference, ‘The New Economic Vision for Penang and Malaysia,' in a George Town hotel on the island state..

However, the Pakatan de facto leader refused to concede defeat on his plan to take over Putrajaya, insisting that the question should be re-phrased as ‘when Pakatan takes over’ not ‘if Pakatan takes over’. The poser was whether or not Pakatan’s much-hyped takeover of the federal government would take place.

Some 500 people, mostly businessmen, industrialists, academicians and economic researchers attended the two-day conference which ended today. It was organised by InvestPenang.

Later, when approached by Malaysiakini with the same question, Anwar dropped hints that although Pakatan was still plotting its takeover plan, it would not happen in the near future.

“It will happen … as soon as possible,” said the PKR supremo with a broad smile before getting into his car.

Lack capable leaders

A Pakatan parliamentarian indicated that the botched attempt to grab federal powers was indeed a blessing in disguise for the opposition alliance as “I feel we still lack capable leaders to administer Putrajaya,”

“The truth is that Pakatan is starved of experienced, matured, refined and talented administrators to rule the country,” he confided to Malaysiakini.

The Penang MP who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the five Pakatan state governments should instead use the period between now and the next general election to prove to the people that they can manage the federal government as well.

“We have yet even to prove ourselves at state level, let alone administering the country,” he said.

Earlier in his speech, Anwar said the transition of power at the top should be peaceful and smooth so as not to create confusion and uncertainty among the people.

He indicated that Pakatan was not greedy for power, but rather committed to assist the country and people to overcome the turbulence of the current global crisis.

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penang anti isa forum 150908 lim guan eng On the economic caucus formed by the five Pakatan states, Anwar said that they were forced to do so by the discriminatory policies of the Barisan Nasional federal government.

He explained that the plan was to pool and mobilise their resources for mutual benefits and interests, adding that the Pakatan states would continue to work closely with the federal government at every opportunity for all Malaysians.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was present, acknowledged that not all federal leaders were hostile against the Pakatan governments, singling out International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin as a model federal minister who has extended effective assistance to Penang in foreign investments.