Anwar Ibrahim’s Press on Dissolution of Parliament

Kuala Lumpur
February 13, 2008

The dissolution of Parliament by Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi on February 13, comes as no surprise as approval ratings for himself and for his government have dropped to all-time lows. Malaysians are hard hit by rising prices, rampant crime, endemic corruption and heightened ethnic tensions. The longer that Barisan Nasional waits, the more seats it stands to lose in the General Election.

These elections are being called more than a year early, in the very middle of the Chinese New Year celebrations, and one month before the illegal ban on my participation in these elections expires. Denying me an opportunity to contest only shows that the four year track record of the Abdullah Administration has been so banal and disappointing that they can afford to take no chances whatsoever.

KeADILan (the People’s Justice Party) is fully prepared to break the barriers imposed by the ruling party by blocking our access to the media and constant harassment by law enforcement at every public gathering. Our candidates have worked day and night to expose the constant failings of the government convey our vision of hope for a better Malaysia.

We have been ready for these elections for months. Along with our allies in the Opposition, we are ready to put Malaysia back on track, and give Malaysians the government they deserve.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

BAHASA MALAYSIA VERSION

Pembubaran Parlimen oleh Perdana Menteri Abdullah Badawi hari ini tidak mengejutkan, memandangkan bahawa kajian menunjukkan bahawa sokongan rakyat teramat rendah. Rakyat semakin dibebankan oleh kenaikkan harga, jenayah dan rasuah yang berleluasa, serta hubungan etnik yang semakin merosot. Semakin Barisan Nasional berlengah membubarkan Parlimen, semakin banyak kerusi akan tumbang.

Pilihanraya ini diisytiharkan lebih daripada setahun awal, semasa perayaan Tahun Baru Cina masih berterusan, dan sebulan sebelum saya dibenarkan bertanding. Menafikan hak saya untuk bertanding hanya mendedahkan bahawa prestasi pimpinan Barisan Nasional telah cukup parah sehingga mereka tidak sanggup mengambil sebarang risiko dalam pilihanraya akan datang ini.

KeADILan siap sedia untuk mengatasi segala rintangan, termasuk halangan akses ke media dan gangguan yang berterusan pada setiap acara umum. Calon-calon kami telah bertungkus lumus untuk mendedahkan kegagalan kerajaan Barisan Nasional dan menyampaikan matlamat kami yang bersandarkan harapan baru untuk Malaysia.

Kami sudah lama bersiap-sedia menghadapi pilihanraya ini. Bersama dengan rakan-rakan pembangkang yang lain, kami bersedia untuk memulihkan prestasi Malaysia yang kian merosot dan membela hak dan nasib semua rakyat Malaysia.

ANWAR IBRAHIM