Anwar accused of plotting Indonesian-style uprising
Anwar accused of plotting Indonesian-style uprising
KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad accused his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday of plotting an Indonesian-style uprising and said he had no immediate plans to step down.
Breaking a two-day silence following the arrest of Anwar and several associates, Mahathir said Anwar had returned to his radical student days and "become a rebel rouser who wants to instigate violence.
"It is clear he was working up emotions in order to create a situation that was similar to Indonesia where there were daily riots to obstruct the normal life in the city," he told a news conference.
"They hope by that way, they can overthrow the government, in particular overthrow me, which is of not great consequence since I am 73 years (old), I can't last very long."
Mahathir defended allegations he plotted the downfall of his former protege, charging instead that Anwar was the one with plans to oust him.
"But to me, it is quite irrelevant. If he thinks he wants to challenge me, I think I can contest against him and I have quite a reasonable chance of winning," he said.
"I have enough problems on my plate as it is ... it is the wrong time for me to do all these things deliberately."
Mahathir said Anwar would appear in court despite his arrest on Sunday under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) providing for detention without trial but said Anwar was afraid of being taken to court.
"I believe he will be charged in court. It is up to the police and public prosecutor but I'm quite sure they see an urgent need because they have been called members of the Mossad and the Gestapo," he said.
"We are faced with a problem of not having credibility and the police have been accused of being biased. They are anxious to get the truth out."
But Mahathir added that "Anwar's greatest fear is to be charged in court because then, all the things he has done will be revealed and all the witnesses will give evidence."
Anwar has yet to be formally charged since his dismissal on Sept. 2, but he faces various allegations ranging from sexual misconduct to treason and sedition.
Mahathir also dismissed rumors he would declare a state of emergency following two straight days of clashes where 126 people were detained, saying that Malaysia was still stable.
The "vast majority" of Malaysia's 22 million people were "quite happy" with the government. "I don't think there is any cause for any emergency," the visibly upbeat prime minister said. The government can manage the economic recession, its first in 13 years, "simply because it's now internalized and not subjected to pressure from outside," he said.
The 73-year-old leader laughed off suggestions he now faces the biggest popular challenge of his career since he came to power in 1981.
"I have had challenges before. It is not a crisis for me. Any country will go through these ups and downs. I think we will come out stronger," he said.
Mahathir said his retirement plans were now shelved but "I hope not for too long. I must find a man who is capable, a man who is honorable and trustworthy."
He acknowledged that it would be a difficult task to convince the people of the sexual allegations against Anwar.
On allegations by Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail that her husband may be injected with HIV virus, Mahathir said the "allegations amounts to incitement against the government.
Mahathir was also dismissive of Azizah's plan to continue her husband's reform movement.