Visiting ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim said that Sarawak opposition leaders had expressed their concern about the state of development, economy and corruption in the state during their meeting in Kuching.

Anwar, who described his present role in politics as 'a concerned citizen', met separately yesterday afternoon with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) state leaders, led by newly-elected chairperson Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Sanusi, Sarawak National Party (Snap) leaders led by its president Edwin Dundang and State Reform Party (Star) president Dr Patau Rubis as well as a group of Chinese politicians whom he did not name soon after his arrival for a two-day visit.

State DAP leaders were not involved in the meeting but unnamed NGO groups were the first to meet Anwar.

The Snap delegation included deputy president Justine Jinggut and secretary-general Stanley Juggol.

Malaysiakini learnt that among the Chinese politicians who met Anwar included a private medical practitioner and a lawyer likely to contest in the next state elections, possibly on a PKR ticket.

"They (opposition leaders) have complained, for example, about mega projects like the RM400 million new state legislative assembly building when there are so many unemployed, poverty, and as the funds could be used instead for small and medium projects to benefit more people."

"With the RM400 million, you could have 50 projects like schools, rural clinics and rural roads, you could give jobs to 50 contractors and you could create more employment," he told malaysiakini after the meeting.

The new assembly building is now under construction on the North Bank of Sungai Sarawak directly opposite Main Bazaar, Kuching, to replace the present building, likely to be turned into a conference/exhibition hall, some two kilometers away in Petra Jaya.

Get priorities right

Sarawak DAP has been publicly campaigning for the scrapping of the project, describing it as a waste of public funds, which, according to its Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen recently, could be put to better use to benefit the people.

Anwar said the state government must, therefore, set its priorities correct.

On the state of development and economy of Sarawak, Anwar said that according to the opposition leaders it was 'not encouraging.'

"A lot of them are concerned with the state of corruption and with the problems of timber concessions. It seems that a few leaders have so much wealth...this is the concern of many Malays, Chinese and Dayaks."

The former deputy premier who is also adviser to PKR, led by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said the opposition parties in Sarawak had different agendas and their own priorities.

"I came here to listen (on what the opposition leaders wanted to say) and agreed they should all work together," he said, describing it as preliminary talks that could lead to an electoral pact.

Anwar said: "As PKR adviser, I discuss and listen whenever required and keep in touch with other opposition leaders and those in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like Aliran , academics, etc."

"We may agree or disagree on some issues, but on fundamental issues and policies we agree," he said referring to the different stands of opposition groups.

As an indication of how PAS was willing to work with other opposition groups, Anwar said that when he was recuperating in Munich after surgery, a PAS delegation visited him and said he should be more involved in working together on the reform agenda.

Asked to comment on the reform programme under Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, the former No 2 replied somewhat in a jest: "I have just been out of prison and you want some honest opinion and I may have to go in again?"

Walk the talk, Pak Lah

On a more serious note, he said the prime minister came in with "a clean policy to combat corruption, observe existing provisions in the constitution on the separations of powers, and bring in good governance and because of the policy, I was allowed to leave jail after six years.'

"But the one and a half year as prime minister, you see the very corrupt are still around and continue to enrich themselves."

He added that the judiciary has not shown any change but also people with questionable credentials are being promoted or named for promotions.

"Abdullah had not shown to be serious.You talk about it, that's all you do," he added.

On a suggestion that some people had interpreted Abdullah's patience in tackling problems like corruption and abuse of power as not a sign of weakness, Anwar said patience is a virtue "but there is a big difference between patience and tolerating corruption."

"Tolerating corruption is certainly not patience," he added, referring to growing criticisms that the prime minister should walk the talk on corruption and other issues.

Of late, Anwar has traveled overseas a lot, giving talks and lectures at universities, including in the United Kingdom, saying that "it was a job I have to do" as he has been denied a pension for his conviction.

Cannot deny facts

Anwar expressed his disappointment at the government's efforts to prevent Malaysian students, especially scholarship holders, in the United Kingdom from attending his lectures when he was attached for a short stint at Oxford University.

According to him, it showed the government's intolerance, not patience, and how unjust it was to the students.

Asked if he thought that Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's visit to the UK recently was to counter his statements there, Anwar said he was the least bothered by it.

"If some leaders are corrupt and I have the evidence what is there to counter?

"If I say the media in Malaysia is completely controlled by them - TV, newspapers, etc - and there is no avenue for anybody seen to be out of government line to have their reports carried, can they deny that?

"If I say the ISA has been abused, a lot of people who were not militant or communists were arrested without trials, can they counter?

"If I say funds are being wasted on mega projects when the plight of the poor is not protected, can you deny that?

"When I say Bakun has not settled the issue of displacement of the affected natives, can they counter that?," he asked.

Addressing a thanksgiving function in Kampung Laruh Scheme in Matang last night, Anwar focused on corruption, corrupt politicians and abuse of power by those in authority.

The crowd who had turned up at former PKR chairperson Hafsah Harun's residence included leaders from two opposition parties Snap and Star.

This was the first time that leaders from Snap, Star and Pas had been seen together in a Keadilan gathering, indicating that inspite of certain quarters trying to pour cold water on it, the proposal to form some kind of a loose co-operation would seem to be workable with the will and drive.