Malaysia's Anwar says fuel hike aids bid to seize power

Malaysia's opposition figurehead Anwar Ibrahim said Sunday his bid to seize power with the help of defecting government lawmakers had been boosted by an unpopular fuel price hike.

Anwar said that at least 30 parliamentarians are willing to cross over to the Pakatan Rakyat opposition alliance, and that if the opposition gained power, the fuel price would immediately be cut.

"According to our timetable it is still on. Now it is more attractive after the price hike," Anwar said at a press conference after a meeting with members of his Keadilan party's supreme council.
"In the light of the political and economical uncertainties led by the government, we have seen clearly more interest and support for Pakatan Rakyat and this applies even to members of parliament," he said.

"There is absolutely no reason... for them to remain and support the leadership that has failed the nation."

Anwar said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's decision last week to hike the price of fuel by 41 percent and restructure the country's oil subsidy system was an "ill-conceived" plan.

He said that as Malaysia was a net oil exporter, the current high price of crude oil on world markets would earn the country a fortune in additional revenue.

"I stand by my decision that when Pakatan Rakyat forms the new government fuel prices definitely will be cut. I will immediately resign, if I do not keep my word and reduce the price of fuel," said Anwar, a former finance minister.

Anwar said he could not elaborate on the timetable for the government lawmakers to cross over, for fear of harassment and intimidation.

"We have to do it very cautiously, mindful of the fact that the system is quite repressive in this country," he said.

Abdullah's Barisan Nasional coalition was punished by voters in March general elections for failing to rein in the cost of food and fuel, losing a third of parliamentary seats and five states to the opposition.

The opposition only needs 30 lawmakers to gain a simple majority in parliament, and topple the government.

Abdullah's leadership is also in doubt, with persistent calls for him to quit to take responsibility for the election debacle.

"Politically the message was clear on March 8. Economically it is now a disaster. That is why they are calling on them to resign," Anwar said.

Agence France-Presse - 6/8/2008 9:37 AM GMT