Rais to Anwar: Stop acting

Rais to Anwar: Stop acting

JELEBU: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim yesterday advised Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to "stop acting" and attempting to "garner sympathy" from the United States by raising new issues to play down his sodomy case.

"This is his (Anwar) ploy to garner sympathy from the US by creating new issues for his political survival.

"Anwar should stop acting and give up his plans to form a new government. Even his Sept 16 mission did not materialise," he said after giving out Amanah Raya Berhad zakat contributions to 250 poor people at Dewan Budaya Jelebu in Simpang Pertang yesterday.

He said there was no physical evidence to support Anwar's claim, and all Barisan Nasional MPs had indicated to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak that they would not leave the BN.

Rais said it was surprising that the US had a greater interest in Malaysian politics than in countries with serious political unrest.

"Why is the US focusing only on Malaysia when there are other countries like Thailand and Zimbabwe? Do they (US) have a vested interest?

"Anwar wants the world to focus attention on him by constantly raising new issues so that his sodomy case would be downplayed."

Rais said all Malaysian ambassadors would attend a one-day seminar in New York to discuss Malaysia's current issues and challenges.

On the issue of a no-confidence vote against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he said this was not possible as no BN MP had defected to Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

On a speedy transition of power, Rais, an Umno supreme council member, said it was up to Umno divisions as transitions of power was not contained in the party constitution.

On the matter of the Internal Security Act, Rais said it could be reviewed to ensure compliance with the basic principles of human rights.



"I agree that the act is not perfect and the sections which allegedly do not meet humanitarian aspects could be reviewed."

He said a review was started some time ago but it took time because of the changing internal conditions in terms of security and public interest.

"Former home minister Tan Sri Megat Junid Megat Ayob called for a review of the act under Section 73 in order to reduce the detention period.

"There was also a review of the act during my time of the same position in 1977, but the political situation in the country then did not permit it.

"In fact, other countries also impose the ISA, such as Singapore. Even the US uses its own prison, Guantanamao."