916 has past and gone without bringing the much anticipated regime change in Malaysia. But has that eroded the public's confidence on Anwar's claims of having significant numbers? Imho, it has not but strengthen them day by day. The Be eNd government couldn't help giving out obvious impressions that they are desperate.
1st by announcing an ad hoc "educational agricultural" trip for their MPs when they have not even decided which country to go. It's only till the last day before the MPs departure that the destination country can be confirmed. Why was this trip planned in such a last minute manner? The MPs were scheduled to return after 916. It's a no brainer that this trip was deliberately planned to disrupt 916.
The 2nd radical move was to detain a blogger, an opposition MP and a chinese daily reporter under the draconian Internal Security Act. Each of the victims were accused to be a threat to the national security. Raja Petra or more famously known as RPK in the blogosphere was detained for posting seditious articles on his blog. Well, I have not actually read his blog before so I can't really comment much. But I'm sure there are other avenues than detaining him without trial. Seputeh's sassy MP, Teresa Kok however was detained for something which she constantly denied to be involved. The former MB of Selangor, Khir Toyo and a malay daily blamed Teresa for starting a petition to lower down the volume of the mosque Azan prayers in her constituency. Even the mosques spokesperson denied that she was ever involved. The reason for the 3rd person to be detained was even more pathetic. Sin Chew's reporter, Tan Hoon Cheng was arrested for writing a report about racist remarks made by an Umno leader. This arrest has sparked the biggest uproar among the public because she was just reporting the truth. In a true case of double standards, the actual culprit is now still walking free. The government was quick to change the reason for detention stating that her custody was meant to protect her because her life was threaten. But would ever believe that ISA arrest can be invoked to protect someone from danger? The govt has once again shot themselves on their own foot.
On 916, Anwar made a public statement that he wants to meet the PM to hold a discussion of having a peaceful power transition. The PM turned Anwar down and claimed that Anwar was lying about having the numbers. If Badawi is confident that Anwar is lying, why don't he just meet him? If Anwar can't produce the numbers during the meeting, there goes his credibility. But no, the only thing he can do is to accuse Anwar as a threat to the national security. Anwar again requested an emergency parliamentery session to show his numbers in the form of no confidence vote against the Be eNd government. Predictably, Anwar was rejected by the PM again. This only spells that the PM doesn't care to know if Anwar has the numbers.
The PM, under pressure from within and without, said that he will not choose to use ISA against Anwar. But if he flips the flop like he always do, Anwar will then be seen as a matyr of democracy. We can expect international condemns and massive reformasi protest. If he doesn't, Anwar will be meeting the King for his intervention. Either way, it does not bode well for the PM and Be eNd.
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