Anwar slams barring of Bersih chairperson and refuses to take questions on Raja Petra Kamaruddin.
KUCHING: Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim today said that Barisan Nasional (BN) has proved the existence of electoral fraud in the 10th Sarawak state election by barring Bersih 2.0 chairperson, Ambiga Sreeenevasan, from entering the state.
Ambiga was turned back from Kuching airport earlier today. She is the fourth activist to be barred entry since campaigning began on April 6.
“What is BN’s excuse?” Anwar asked at a press conference this morning. “It only proves that BN is scared because it has something to hide. And in all this, Sarawakians are being duped and treated like fools.”
The PKR de facto leader reiterated his confidence in trampling over BN when Sarawakians go to the polls tomorrow, but also expressed grave worries over last-minute tactics by BN to secure a victory.
“We are fighting the entire BN national machinery which is here because (Prime Minister) Najib (Tun Razak) sees a formidable challenge to BN,” he pointed out. “And this is why we have seen rough tactics and flawed processes taking place.”
“I’m very optimistic that we will do more than just deny BN its two-thirds. There is an uprising and an awareness never seen before in Sarawak elections.”
“But if the election process was clean from the very start, I would have been even more certain of a strong victory. Now I am just worried about developments that will take place in the last 24 hours.”
Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR vice-president, Granda Aing, alleged that money had already been making its rounds in villages throughout the state.
“The village heads have received RM6,000 while the villagers were given RM2,000,” he claimed. “I was told this by a recipient himself.”
When asked who exactly was doling out the cash, he said, “I’m sure you already know.”
Anwar also lashed out at BN for spreading the word in Muslim villages that he is attempting to replace a Muslim (Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud) with a Christian Dayak (PKR Sarawak chief Baru Bian).
“This is nonsense and the height of irresponsibility,” he said. “We want to see an emergence of a new breed of Sarawakians and Bian has impeccable credentials. People are ecstatic when his name is mentioned.”
Perfect timing
On Raja Petra Kamarudin’s latest revelation, Anwar said: “The Sarawak election is tomorrow and the timing is perfect.”
Two days ago, Raja Petra had claimed he was pressured by individuals close to Anwar to implicate Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, in the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu.
Anwar, however, said he would reserve his comments after April 16 when BN would be welcome to “resume their usual attacks on me”.
“Focus on the Sarawak election and the Sarawak leadership,” he told the media. “We can discuss my leadership after tomorrow. I am not evading this topic, we can talk about it on April 17.”
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