Karpal to Anwar: Step down as Pakatan head

In an outburst that could have deep implications for the Pakatan Rakyat alliance, DAP chairperson Karpal Singh today openly urged Anwar Ibrahim to step down as the leader of the alliance.

He blamed Anwar for the disarray in Pakatan which was caused by the PKR leader's continuous rhetoric of forming government with the aid of defectors from Barisan Nasional.

Karpal also had harsh words for his colleagues in DAP, especially party veteran Lim Kit Siang and party secretary general Lim Guan Eng - for their inconsistent stand on party hopping.

But the brunt of his anger was on Anwar, whom the veteran politician said had caused trouble in the opposition alliance.

Karpal did not mince his words when he said that Pakatan needed a new leader.

"He has created enough trouble and it is time for him to bertaubat (repent).

"It's time Pakatan got itself another leader," he said in an amazing attack which will surely be picked up by BN leaders to portray the Pakatan alliance as a loose one waiting to collapse.

Karpal's biggest complain was Anwar' support for defections of elected representatives.

The Pakatan alliance took shape after the big victory enjoyed by PKR, PAS and DAP in the last general election. Together they took over four states, retained Kelantan and denied two-thirds majority for BN in Parliament.

After that Anwar had claimed that he had enough defectors from BN to form the federal government. However despite his repeated assurances, the takeover never materialise.

Then on Jan 25, PKR accepted an Umno state representative in Perak, with Anwar beaming in delight that this was to be followed by more defections.

However the tables were turned on Anwar and Pakatan when two Perak PKR state representatives and one DAP assemblyperson left their parties to become independents. Even the defected Umno man returned to his party.

As a result Pakatan lost control of the state government, allowing BN to take over.

He has a lot to answer for

Talking to reporters in his office in Penang today, Karpal said that party-hopping can never be justified.

"I am somewhat confounded how Anwar could have openly espoused and encouraged crossovers after the people gave a resounding mandate to the Pakatan on March 8 last year," he said.

"In the public interest, and in particular in the interest of the Pakatan, Anwar has a lot to answer for creating the woes of the Pakatan now," he added.

Karpal also blamed the BN for practising the game of defections - giving examples of how the ruling coalition had pinched DAP leaders in 1979 and 1982, a period when Anwar was still with Umno and BN.

"I only hope Anwar did not learn of the morality, or rather immorality, of political kangaroos hopping form the opposition to the BN during the time he was in the BN.

"Be that as it may, the intelligence of the rakyat should not be underestimated by politicians from either side of the divide.

"The trust of the people cannot and should not be taken for granted by elected representative," said the Bukit Gelugor member of parliament.

He added that the mandate to form a government must come from the people and not from crossovers.

He said that it was most unfortunate that there have been crossovers in Perak, resulting in the turmoil in that state now.

He added that the solution for the crisis in Perak lied squarely in the hands of the judiciary, given that the Perak sultan has appointed a new BN menteri besar and is poised to appoint a new exco on Tuesday.

"The predicament faced by the rakyat in Perak is the consequence of political treachery and large scale deception and commission of fraud on the voters by the assemblypersons who have deserted the party, the strength of which placed them in the state assembly," he added.

Karpal also expressed his disappointment with a number of PKR and DAP leaders who supported the idea of party hopping.

Disppointed with party leaders

He said DAP leaders should give their support to him as the party's national chairperson, and not to Anwar.

"I regret that I am not able to get support even from my party leaders. Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng should support me, not give statements supporting Anwar Ibrahim.

"I request support....I am the chairman of DAP. And I warn my party leaders not to push me too far. I have been patient all this while, don't make matters come to a head in the interest of Pakatan and DAP," he warned.

He also said Pakatan should ensure that it remained strong and received the full support of the people in the next general election to take over the government from BN.

"Dont' take for granted the trust given by the people. The mandate to form a government should come from the people," he added.

Talking to reporters later tonight in Ipoh, Anwar said that these were Karpal's personal views and did not reflect DAP's official stand.

He also brushed aside claims that he had caused disarray in Pakatan, adding that Karpal's outburst was not discussed in a Pakatan meeting today.

It is uncertain how other senior DAP leaders would react to Karpal's statement today.

Guan Eng was reported in the papers today as saying that Pakatan will speak as one on matters relating to Perak.

Karpal has for some weeks now been highly critical of the other Pakatan allies. Last month he warned that DAP would leave the alliance if PAS continued with its Islamic state and hudud law policies.

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