Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews/Agencies) - The de facto leader of the opposition in Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, is threatening to overthrow the government of the unpopular prime minister Abdullah Badawi. At the end of five years of banishment from political life, issued against him because of corruption, Anwar declares that he has the support of a sufficient number of ministers to impose a change of government, but is waiting for the right moment.
The leader of the People's Justice Party (PKR) spoke late last night at a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur, where his supporters had gathered to celebrate the end of his sentence. The police say the crowd numbered 4,000 people, while the organisers claim at least 40,000. The demonstration was interrupted by agents, because of the lack of the necessary permits. Arrested in 1998 on accusations of corruption and sodomy, Anwar - who was deputy prime minister at the time - has always maintained his innocence, denouncing the "political interests" behind the trial against him. Although he was freed from prison in 2004, his sentencing for corruption barred him from holding public office until April 15, 2008.
The PKR, together with the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and the Islamic PAS party, obtained excellent results in the latest parliamentary and administrative elections on March 8, eroding the strong majority of Abdullah's UMNO party and gaining control of five states of the federation. Anwar is convinced that the block of the three parties "is ready to govern the country". But commerce minister Shahril Samad rejects Anwar's claims: at this moment, he has no knowledge of any ministers in the governing coalition (Barisan National) who want to switch to the opposition.