Anwar's three party coalition made spectacular gains in the March 8 general elections, increasing the opposition strength from 19 to 82 seats in the 222-member Parliament. Barisan National won with a simple majority of 140 seats, down from its traditional two-thirds majority.
Anwar claims he is now close to getting at least 30 Barisan National's lawmakers to defect so that he can form a new government, and become the next prime minister. It is not clear if Anwar can carry out the threat by his self-imposed deadline of September 16th. This has evidently unnerved the government and the people.
Anwar has mounted a serious challenge to the Barisan Nasional led government, accusing it of corruption and subverting the civil service, the judiciary and the police. He also says minorities are treated unfairly while the majority Malays are given special privileges.
While a slowing economy, dwindling investments, spiraling inflation and a lackluster stock market are major concerns for the country, the nation's attention has been riveted this year by the political fireworks surrounding the 61 year old Anwar.
All this political uncertainties and over politiking is threatening to destabilize the nation. Our leaders have let us down by indulging in too much politicking and polarisation in our multiracial and multi-religious society. There are certain parties which stands to benefit from all this uncertainties.
Efforts by certain parties working to destabilize the country by planning, conspiring and supporting the attempt to seize power through illegitimate means, and without the mandate of the people, must be rejected.
We cannot allow uncertainties to continue, as this will adversely affect foreign investment, economic sentiment and the capital markets. We cannot allow these disturbances to continue.
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