Jeffrey: New PM, New System soon, NOT New PM, Old System

Jeffrey: New PM, New System soon, NOT New PM, Old System

by Joe Fernandez @ Fernz

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi has denied it and so has Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim: there are no talks taking place between Umno, the ruling party, and Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition alliance, on a transfer of power soon

However, second level leaders on both sides tell a different story. Informal talks have apparently begun, says PKR Sabah Chief Datuk Dr Jeffrey Gimpoi Kitingan. “A new government with a new prime minister will become a reality soon rather than a new leader under the old system,” adds Jeffrey. “Anwar and Abdullah may benefit from a compromise rather than prolonging the political suspense that could tear the nation apart if left unresolved.”

Jeffrey, a vice president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, cites several reasons for his cautious optimism over an emerging new political scenario in the country:

(1) Badawi is under great pressure to hand over the leadership of Umno and the premiership to his deputy, Najib, before the month-long Umno divisional elections begin on Thurs 9 Oct this year;

(2) Badawi’s supporters are unwilling to accept the “transfer power now” demand, saying that the Prime Minister and his deputy have a deal for the power transition to take place by 2010; and

(3) Tengku Razaleigh is also coming into the picture in December to challenge the Umno president.

“Given the pressures, Badawi has no choice but make peace with Anwar for a compromise,” said Jeffrey. “After all, the latter was a deputy president of Umno and heir apparent before Badawi became the Prime Minister.”

The Sabah PKR chief thinks that “what is needed now is the consent of the Yang Di Pertuan Agong. Anwar already has the numbers.” “Rather than allow the situation to worsen by waiting for the big Umno leadership challenge in December and an uncertain future, the Agong may chose to save the nation from all the potential troubles,” said Jeffrey. “He can allow the new government to take over under the leadership of Anwar whose stewardship may be more clear-cut and certain.”

Jeffrey is the second PKR leader to mention talks between the Anwar and Badawi camps. Tian Chua, PKR information chief, said yesterday (Tues) that the opposition has opened talks with the government via a third party. “We managed to break through in some discussions through a third party and soon direct negotiations will happen between Abdullah and Anwar,” he said.

. “We have a problem here because we have the numbers but we can’t move while Parliament is in recess,” Anwar has been quoted as saying in an interview with London’s Daily Telegraph.

In Kuching, Barisan Nasional MPs think that “the question of Badawi staying on until mid-2010 does not arise if Anwar has the numbers. That’s the main point. This can be demonstrated when parliament re-convenes after the Hari Raya holidays. The Prime Minister cannot choose to delay re-convening Parliament indefinitely.”

A group of MPs polled think that Umno warlords want Badawi to quit now and allow for a new Prime Minister from the party to take over so that Anwar plan’s to seize the reins of the Federal Government would fall through. “They think there won’t be a no confidence motion against a new Prime Minister from Umno. That’s why they have threatened Badawi that he will not get enough nominations once the Umno divisional elections begin on Oct 9,” said a political secretary to Sarawak Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.

Source: http://malaysiannewsnetwork.com/?p=5179