'Zaid's wrong, Harapan isn't occupied with freeing Anwar'
#BebasAnwar campaign chairperson Adrian Lim Chee En has dismissed former minister Zaid Ibrahim's claim that Pakatan Harapan is focussing too much on freeing former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Lim said the efforts to secure Anwar's freedom is being spearheaded independently by the #BebasAnwar campaign which comprise a group of youth volunteers.
He added that Pakatan Harapan has instead focused on several important public issues such as corruption, draconian laws, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA), the falling ringgit as well as electoral irregularities.
"In doing so, numerous Pakatan Harapan leaders have been investigated, arrested, charged and are currently going through trials for raising the issues above.
"In fact, Anwar himself has raised the issues of GST and 1MDB way back in 2010 when these issues were still unheard of. This is the vision that Malaysia desperately needs," Lim said in a press statement today.
Anwar ( photo ) is serving a five-year jail sentence since February last year for sodomy, a charge he claims to be politically motivated.
Zaid in an interview with Malaysiakini published today said the opposition have to move on and find a new hero instead of dwelling on Anwar.
While describing Anwar's incarceration as unfortunate, he said Pakatan Harapan should instead focus on implementing his ideals.
However, Lim insisted that Anwar is still relevant but it does not mean that the opposition is occupied with wanting to free him.
"Zaid has got it all wrong. Anwar is much needed to fill the leadership vacuum in Malaysia.
"On one hand Zaid screams for justice, on the other he tells people that a victim of injustice should be replaced. Instead of telling Pakatan leaders to draw a clear line and distant themselves from Anwar as a hero, he should call for more concerted efforts," said Lim.
Zaid inconsistent
Lim also blasted Zaid as being "inconsistent".
He pointed out that Zaid had blasted PAS of abandoning Anwar on the day when the then opposition leader was jailed but later criticised Anwar who lashed out at the judges who convicted him.
"He (Zaid) vouched that 'our judges are decent and honest character; and our Chief Justice is a man of highest integrity and honour', only to admit in January 2016 that the judiciary is flawed and we should call the judges what they deserve.
"In response to the decision in Indira Gandhi's case in January 2016, he called the judges 'heartless' and went on to defend his remarks despite being summoned by the police," said Lim.
Likewise, Lim said Zaid had in Feb 2015 supported a royal pardon for Anwar and even in August and November that year called for former premier Mahathir Mohamad to partner with Anwar against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak but is now asking the opposition to let Anwar go.
"Two Ibrahims, one Zaid and another Anwar, but they seem to be completely different.
"The earlier Ibrahim pops out of no where with some comments on hot issues of the day, whereas the latter since 1998 has been consistent with the agenda of inclusive politics and reforming the nation, whether Malaysians are talking about it or not," he said.
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