Shafie - Anwar will not get to Putrajaya by Sept 16, 2008

PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not get to Putrajaya on Sept 16 as he claims by riding on a wave of defections by Sabah MPs.

“That is his claim. It will not happen. Most of the MPs are friends with each other. We know what is going on and we are staying in Barisan Nasional,” said Datuk Shafie Apdal.

The Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister and MP for Semporna said the people should not fall for Anwar’s claim that some 13 MPs from Sabah were ready to cross over to Pakatan Rakyat.

“It is his say against ours. We have made clear our firm stand to be with the Barisan," he said.

He was commenting on Anwar winning the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat with a big majority of 15,671 on Tuesday.

Shafie reiterated that the loud complaints of poverty, neglect and illegal immigrant issues raised by Sabah MPs should not be construed as a loss of faith in the Barisan leadership.

“Pak Lah, he listens. The various announcements of financial support to Sabah, including the RM2bil to combat poverty, is proof he acts on what we tell him,” he said.

In Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Barisan Nasional leaders echoed the same sentiment.

Sabah Umno assistant secretary Datuk Masidi Manjum said Anwar’s victory in Permatang Pauh could instead work to Sabah Barisan MPs’ advantage and lead to more concessions from the Federal Government.

“There is absolutely no compulsive reason for our MPs to cross over and there is no guarantee that a Federal Government headed by Anwar would give Sabahans a better deal,” he said.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Datuk Yong Teck Lee said Malaysians should be ready for a “change” now that Anwar was back in Parliament.

In Kuching, Sarawak’s Environment and Public Health Minister Datuk Wong Soon Koh said Anwar should concentrate on being a responsible Opposition Leader instead of stirring up the people’s emotions now that he was an MP.