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.