Direct Negotiations 'Soon' Between Anwar and Pak Lah, Says Tian Chua. Is This True?

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Direct Negotiations 'Soon' Between Anwar and Pak Lah, Says Tian Chua. Is This True?

From Reuters
Malaysia's opposition said on Tuesday it has opened talks with the government over the current political impasse but added it was still early to talk about a power transfer.

"We managed to break through in some discusssions through a third party and soon a direct negotiation will happen between Abdullah and Anwar," said Tian Chua, information chief of Anwar Ibrahim's Parti Keadilan Rakyat, said.

One of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's political secretaries said there were no such talks as far as he was aware.
***** How much credence can we give to this claim by Tian Chua? Could the PM already be in secret 'third party' wheeling and dealing with the Pakatan leadership?

One question that should be asked is whether it is possible for Pak Lah to unilaterally go into negotiations with the opposition and get the best deal for himself? As PM does he legally require the formal approval of his party before he discusses politics with Anwar?

Among the formidable powers that the PM enjoys is the constitutional right to approach His Majesty and request the dissolution of Parliament and thus pave the way for the next general elections. If he does that without consultation, can the rest of Umno do anything about it? This is a potent weapon which he wields and can use if he feels that too many Umno leaders are getting out of line. After all which Umno pemimpin wants to face the electorate tomorrow? Any legal experts out there who can enlighten us?
Labels: Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian Politics., Pak Lah

posted by The Malaysian. at 9/23/2008 11:57:00 AM 23 comments

Monday, September 22, 2008
Umno Faces Oblivion Without Reform, Says Muhyiddin. Very True. Will He Resign & Set A Good Example?
A top Malaysian minister warned Monday that the ruling party and the coalition it has led for half a century faces oblivion at the next elections if it fails to reform.

The Barisan Nasional coalition, helmed by the ruling United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), has floundered since March elections which saw a resurgent opposition score unprecedented victories.

Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, an UMNO vice president who has called for premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to stand down before his planned departure in 2010, said the party must address internal conflicts and the opposition threat.

"It is a situation which is very serious. It is of concern not only to UMNO members but to the country at large, to the Barisan Nasional and people who cares about what is happening to the government," he was quoted by AFP as telling a press conference.

"If nothing happens then I am not too sure if the lifespan of Barisan Nasional, of UMNO in particular, can sustain beyond the year 2013," he said, referring to the scheduled date of the next general elections.

Abdullah has defied calls to quit despite being confronted by rare criticism from within his cabinet, as well as a challenge from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim who says he has enough defectors to topple the government.

Abdullah swept to power in a landslide 2003 election victory, but his popularity plummeted due to broken promises for reform, as well as rising inflation and a slowing economy.

Muhyiddin made another attack on Abdullah's plan to hand over to his deputy Najib Razak, saying UMNO members should decide on the future leadership in internal elections that begin next month.

"What has been agreed upon is only a convention. There is no such provision in the constitution," he said. "We don't elect leaders unconstitutionally, we elect leaders based on procedures."

If Abdullah steps down as premier, Najib is widely tipped to replace him, with Muhyiddin as his new deputy. (Antara News, Indonesia)

***** What is the prime motivation for Muhyiddin's determined efforts to unseat Pak Lah? Is it truly his new found zeal for 'reform' in Umno? Or is it more likely a devious attempt to shore up his own position in the party? Frankly if reform is the issue, surely Muhyiddin too is part of the problem in the first place, and should by right withdraw from active politics while urging thousands of other corrupt umnoputeras to do the same. But will that ever happen? Ha Ha Ha.