Anwar Rally on 14 April

Massive KL rally marks end of Anwar ban
by Chow Kum Hor
The Straits Times - - 15 April 2008

KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S opposition held a massive rally here last night to mark the end of its leader Anwar Ibrahim's five-year ban from holding political office, with him announcing to a cheering crowd his intention to 'take over the government'.

From today, the former deputy prime minister can once again stand for election, bringing him significantly closer towards his long-cherished dream of becoming prime minister.

More than 10,000 people converged at a historic private Malay club in Kampung Baru last night - a reminder to the Barisan Nasional (BN) government about the resurgent opposition which made unprecedented gains in last month's general election.

'We are going to take over the government soon,' Datuk Seri Anwar said during a 40-minute speech.

He said that if the opposition alliance, Pakatan Rakyat, were to succeed in forming the new federal government before he wins an MP post, his wife - now an MP - will become the prime minister.

Pakatan Rakyat is the alliance made up of the Parti Keadilan Rakvat (PKR), Democratic Action Party and Parti Islam SeMalaysia.

It denied the BN its traditional two-thirds majority in Parliament in the March polls and also swept to power in Penang, Kedah, Perak and Selangor states. It also retained control of Kelantan.

At a press conference after the rally, Datuk Seri Anwar drove home his intention to form the next government, a point he hinted at repeatedly in his address.

'I am saying this for the first time. We are ready,' he told reporters.

'Timing is an issue that we have to discuss with the three parties - only when the majority feels comfortable. We have the numbers...we have enough MPs to form the government.'

Last night, he kept emphasising how different races could work and live together, in contrast to the BN's stress on pro-Malay policies.

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