RPK says Pakatan disunited, Anwar incapable to lead

KUALA LUMPUR, April 14 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) remains disunited as a coalition due to differing ideologies between its three parties as well as having an incapable leader, Raja Petra Kamarudin said in an interview aired by TV3 tonight.

The once-villified blogger said that PR’s inability to operate together in Selangor, coupled with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s infamous September 16 failed takeover of the federal government had resulted in voters losing faith in the opposition.

Raja Petra (picture), who operates the Malaysia Today news portal accused Anwar of having failed to fulfil the “empty promises” proposed during the 2008 general elections.

“So if as the opposition we cannot prove our worth, how then do the voters expect to believe that the opposition can form the government, because being the opposition is easier, when we are the opposition we oppose we do not have to implement.

“But when we are the government, we need to implement what we have criticised when we were the opposition..that is not easy,” Raja Petra said in the second part of an exclusive interview by pro-government news channel TV3.

PR is a made up of PKR, DAP and PAS and was formed shortly after the last general elections in 2008.

“But if you fail as the opposition party, of course people will not be confident of you to form a government.

“Many people have told me that they are disillusioned...they have lost faith in the opposition,” he said.

The blogger cited the failed PR takeover bid in September 16 2008 and PR’s failure to form a shadow Cabinet as contributing factors to the loss of public faith and support in the opposition.

“And because of the September 16 issue where many people believed in Anwar’s promises including me, at the time I was under arrest via the Internal Security Act (ISA) in Kamunting.

“Anwar came to see me in court...he told me not to worry as “you will be out soon because we will form the September 16 government,” said Raja Petra.

The former editor of Suara Keadilan accused Anwar of denying party members the right to voice concerns, saying that anyone found criticising party leaders would face disciplinary action.

Raja Petra also said that the clearest example of PR’s inefficiency to govern together as a stable government was the handling of the beer ban issue in Selangor back in 2009.

“In Selangor Datuk Hasan Ali comes out with a statement that differs from the state government’s policy..Hasan Ali says its PAS’s policy, but PAS says its a private view..even in PAS they cannot agree.

“One says can, one says cannot..people are confused..what is the policy? Anwar is supposed to be economic advisor, has he ever come out with a statement saying that this is the policy? He keeps quiet while those below fight.

“This is not an example of good leadership..a leader knows how to control his soldiers,” said Raja Petra.