The Washington Post | September 15, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim pledged Monday to oust Malaysia’s entrenched government and brazenly urged the prime minister to hand over power “smoothly and peacefully.”
As he addressed a rally of some 10,000 supporters, however, Anwar said he would not meet a self-imposed Tuesday deadline to topple the government through parliamentary defections and instead hoped to negotiate a transition.
“We do not want to force it. We do not want to go to (the capital) Putrajaya and drag them down. Therefore, we want to negotiate with the prime minister and ask him, ‘Do you want one week, do you want two weeks?’” Anwar said.
The comments were certain to add to the pressure on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad and his ruling National Front coalition, which is already in a disarray because of dissent and a festering rebellion against Abdullah’s weak leadership after disastrous election results in March.
Earlier in the day, Anwar sent a letter to Abdullah saying he had enough support to form a government and asking the prime minister for a meeting to discuss the “transition of power.”
“We want the transition of power to be done smoothly and peacefully. We have the numbers and we are ready … to form the government,” he said.
The letter could, however, be seen as a show of bravado meant to scare the National Front.
Thousands at the evening rally chanted “Reformasi,” or reform, and “9-1-6″ _ a reference to Sept. 16, Anwar’s original deadline for removing the government through ruling coalition defections.
“The people will rise to build a system of true democracy,” Anwar said to loud cheers from the audience.
Opposition leaders who spoke before Anwar gave a new interpretation of the deadline date, saying it was the beginning of a campaign to oust the National Front, which has been in power uninterrupted since 1957 when Malaysia gained independence from British colonial rule.
“It doesn’t matter whether it happens tomorrow, the next day or whenever. People want it to happen. The 9/16 movement will begin seriously tomorrow,” said Lim Kit Siang of the Democratic Action Party.
Kamaruddin Jafar, a leader of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, or PAS, said “tomorrow we will begin a clear movement toward a change of government.”


















Yakin boleh!
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Ni brape byk mau kona baring la.. Klu dh ckp org nk tkr tu, tkr aje la. Nk bg ms smapi 2mggu wtpe lg?? Ig bodolah badwi nk dgr ckp ke? Menteri2 kabinet dia sdri tegur pn dia buat tk tahu aje, ni plak kita pembangkang. Klu Bodolah ni dgr ckp n nasihat org, dh lama dia berundur.. Jgn buat sesuatu yg sia2.. Org ramai dh makin kurang yakin tentang hrpn perubahan ni coz byk sgt dolak dalih.. Akhirnya isu ini scra tidak lsg akn menguatkan kembali UMNO..
#Mlm ni dlm brite dh tentu akn kuar psl kegagalan 916.. Skt hati..
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Rkusom Reply:
September 16th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
saya setujulah pendapat saudara Rakyat-Biasa tu. dah letih ni… tunggu..! tak bleh kata tk bleh.. jangan rakyat ternanti2..ternanti-nanti bertemankan hati yang semakin sakit ini yang tak best ni. bukan tak tau rakyat sekarang ni dah berkelompok, jumpa kat tempat kerja teman2 dok tanya, hoi ..macammana dangan bapa kemanakan hang..! dah jadi PM ke atau dah duduk dalam.? hari-hari kena tanya soalan macam-macam dari pihak penyokong BN yang satu tempat kerja.., boleh gaduh woi..!cpat lah DSAI.. berikanlah kami kemenangan secepat mungkin.
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Lawan tetap Lawan Reply:
September 16th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Mainstream media as usual will obviously making that as their most hot dishes for the night. Don’t worry, a date is a date.. and they can hide their MPs again if Anwar is making another statement. Let it be a surprise this time. Let be a time where all the defectors will making a press statement in a same hall ..and I want to see the sour faces of each arrogant BN/UMNOs at that very moment. I want to smile and see that coming..
..for the time being, let just watch how they humilate PR /DSAI on this 16th September’s claim.
I am sure the one person that doesnt really happy today is Abdullah Badawi. He had received a ‘love-letter’ from DSAI. A love-letter that he perceived a threat to his 4 years old empire.
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Good one. The process begins on September 16th. And all these idiots thought it was the deadline. D Day marked the turning point in WW2. The war didn’t end on that day.
EUREKA!!!!
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arman rafi Reply:
September 16th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
DSAI TALKING ABOUT SEIZING THE POWER ON SEPT 16 AND NOT BEGINING OF AN EFFORT TO GRAB THE POWER ON SEPT 16,U MORON…
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Lawan tetap Lawan Reply:
September 16th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Andrew, thats the problem. 16th September is what they thought.. Thats what with the Taiwan’s agriculture trip all about. Thats what will made them proudly say that PR is liar. Thats what they will use to undermine the possibility of take over. They forgot.
While they are at least happy with the 16th September failed to materialized any surprise, they (present government) will be having a hard night each day on the borrowed day. Because deep in head, they dream about faces that going to sabotage them. And before they woke up the next morning, the will be surprise that they are now become the opposition side in the Parliament..
..and if you all see this statement as a big liar as well, you are very much in the state of denial. I see the whole plot not merely as take over the present govt, but more to changing ship for good. Because a sinking ship has no time to be repaired when many of the sailors inside are sleeping, partying, bribing and taking the whole nation in complete scrutiny.
There goes a bigger ship, where all Malaysian will want to go in.. A pakatan rakyat is a true ship for all. Together we cruise to a more just nation where democracy will prevail and no longer the rakyat have the fear to voice out their need. Because, government is the servant for rakyat not vice-versa.
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view from the moon Reply:
September 25th, 2008 at 12:02 am
you are a smart one…i say. You think like me…hmmm
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Ragge@downside cafe Reply:
September 16th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
You are right absolutely CORRECT Andrew!
At last I had spotted a ‘constructive comment’ among all the bloggers. Definitely real cream among the ‘creams’.
The process begins on September 16th 2008 and the take-over will be on September 16th 2999.
Anyway, no one can predict when the war would end, isn’t it Andrew?
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Insya Allah…
Tak sabar dah nih….
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LOLz……. I have nothing to say but lolz…(4 u oldies out there “lolz” is the short form for Laugh out Loud…usually used to express great amusement or insult…think 4 urself which one i’m doin…)
16 September is here…. how soon is soon? No disrespect here, but if u cannot do something, shut it k.. sometimes when people says something and don’t follow up it is kinda annoying u know…
I hope that next time, Yang Berhormat Datuk Seri will think something thoroughly before saying anything to not disappoint…
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It will be the best gift of hari raya for all of us…
I know it is difficult.. However, it’s not impossible..
Never too rushing and never too late
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Bravo,We want things to happen smoothly without any untowards incidents.We still love our brothers and sisters in UMNO and Barisan.We wish they repent and return to the right track.What we actually require, is a change in government and putting Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the new prime minister.I hope things will change for the benefit of all regardless of race and religion.
Mohd sivakumar
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Soon.. soon… Soon tu bila? Jangan berjanji kalau dah tau tak boleh tepati. Jangan beri alasan. Jangan perbodohkan rakyat. Tau tak betapa pedihnya bila janji tak ditepati? Sudahlah. Hentikan perjuangan angan-angan yang mengarut itu. Rakyat dah tak sanggup nak terima janji-janjijanji manis lagi…
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Tolong la pak sheikh kasi cepatkan sikit process ni…sbb kerajaan sekarang terlalu lemah dgn pimpinan PEEEELLAAAHHHH…..
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look changing government is not that easy. more if an incumbent for 51 years… they will do everything to stop this from happening. as people we should give our undivided support to DSAI and make this happen is a smooth orderly manner ; the spirit of 916 stays.. in the month of ramadan we need to be xtra patience…. stay united
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kona lagi…………… kona rapat rapattttttttttttttttt. macam tu la dok pembohong orang
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YB,honestly your supporters will be wondering why Pakatan would want to negotiate a date for the handover of power.You have said in your earlier conference that you would show evidence to the PM that you have enough MPS to form the next government,which of course show the list of names of MPs who have joined Pakatan.
Don’t you think your supporters won’t be wondering;
1.given the time frame of 1 to 2 weeks would give the BN ample time to deal with the MPs who have jumped ship.Even if the PM will to ‘give-in’ in the negotiation (which i honestly doubt),wouldn’t the rest of BN leaders do something to stop the transition of power from happening?
2.The PM have said and his statement was published in the papers.He claims that if you really have the numbers,you would bring the lists right to his office with your supporters by now.An informal invitation have come from the PM,why is Pakatan holding back?
3.With Mahathir return(which we should never underestimate his influence within UMNO)and throwing his support for Ku-Li and his attempt to throw the PM out of his office,don’t you think Pakatan are giving BN time to rebuild?Mahathir knows the people well within UMNO.His return to UMNO have indeed shows that even the vice-President have openly asked for the PM to reconsider to hand over power sooner than 2010.UMNO,without doubt is shaking.But it shakes because there are plans to demolished a old house for a new one.If the present PM is ousted before Pakatan take over,UMNO under it new leadership,will without doubt create a new era of development and hope for the members.With these,whichever MPs who have choosed to joined Pakatan may well jump ship again.Have YB thought of this risk?
To conclude,in my humble opinion is that Pakatan must take over the government ASAP.I believe you may have your reasons for allowing a time frame.But please reconsider the risks involves.Time are ticking.YB words will be judge.Hope you well.
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Hi DSAI,
If Pak Lah dont want to talk to you, then how?
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Greetings all,
To all the flamers and whiners, grow up. If it is all that simple to form a new government, why don’t you take up the task instead of whining and flaming? DSAI is doing all in his capacity and perhaps even more than you can ever imagine. On with toppling the current government for a better Malaysia!
DSAI for the win!!
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Hopefully all Malaysias please be patient and wait for the transition to be happen. Its not so easy for the prime event for this nation to come but as I did mentioned before first we must changed our thinking where it would happen and secondly our strong believe that the time would come and sure will come. So, don’t worry, don’t give up, give full support and pray continuosly without fail just for the benefit of this nation and for a better performances of our future life.
If we too weak to believe that the sweet time would come than our strength become week and shows that we are not enough ability to success in life, so easy to give up and surrender. We must remember that the National Front machineries are trying by using their maximum efford to ensure the change won’t happen. This is not a small issue. They would try their best to protect their power, to protect their interest and to ensure their wellness continuosly belong to them in what ever ways.
Please think carefully how difficult our DSAI condition and situation right now which everybody locally and international peoples are focusing on his action. Myself as a ordinary people of Malaysia feel so tention regarding this matter. So just think how about our DSAI how he face all the pressure right now. The goverment media everyday wrote about this issue and said that DSAI was crazy and it would not happen. We should give respect to DSAI for his efford, for his ideas of transition and reformation and become a history for our future generation.
So, if he still confident with this transition we as the believer should continuously believe that it would happen and we want it to be happen at whatever time require because we could’t depend on the current corrupt goverment – Anak, Manantu and Najib Altantuya & CO.
Please be patient…
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entah laaaa… brapa lama daaaaaa … cepat la skit … penat tunggu nih
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What a day..what a day!
DSAI made a wise move to think on what the present govt will do to avoid the transition. Its not like kid stuff to takeover govt in hurry. Proper procedure is needed to ensure stability and minimize chaos. I’m sure the UMNO MPs in particular are looking at each other trying to figure out who is the defectors amongst them.
While the BN leaders all over the country will skeptical about the the 16th September, they must now avoid making a foolish statement.. because I’m afraid when the PR takeover the ruling collision, the ‘fool’ will blame each other how stupid is their blunders scoring an ‘own goal’.
I don’t mind reading a disturbing cynical blog reply from an immature blog responder as I wont know as to whether they are kid, immature adult or a raving fan of their UMNO’s dad. I pity their stupidity.
I don’t want to rule out any possibility, because when ‘the wind of change’ blows,. . “you’ll never know why”..
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What’s going on mate ?
You tell the whole world you’ll become PM on the 16th Sept.
Apa dah jadi yob …??? dont make yourself less popular lerr DSAI .
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Smooth transition… that’s the key!
Peralihan kuasa yang teratur dan aman… kita tak mahu sebarang bentuk kekacauan dalam perubahan kerajaan. Biarlah ia mengambil masa, kita tidak mahukan hasil yang segera tetapi harus dibayar dengan air mata dan darah!
Pak Lah tahu bahawa beliau sudah tiada lagi sokongan, baik dalam kerajaan mahupun dalam parti. Tidak ada gunanya lagi berpaut pada “dahan yang rapuh” – dan cara terbaik adalah menyerahkan kuasa dengan cara terhormat. Apa saja tindakan konfrontasi yang akan beliau lakukan akan dicatat dalam sejarah sebagai PM yang menghancurkan keamanan dan demokrasi Malaysia.
Let it go Pak Lah… you know your time is up!
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The UNMO is not going to give in easily. The best sulution is to get an audience with the Agongand put forward the list to him and get his approval.
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sikap bodoh sombong bn/ umno makin menjadi-jadi. apabila melihat muka sorang2 pemimpin umno rrasa macam meluat dengan kenyataan bodoh mereka. seolah-olah rakyat Malaysia ini macam tak boleh pikir.
dah puas kau ropak kekayaan negara dan zalim kepada rakyat,seolah kuasa mereka itu kebal. barangkali mereka lupa bahawa Allah S.W.T. yang Maha Berkuasa. berkat doa orang yang dizalimi dan bulan Ramadan Al-Mubarak ini, InsyaAllah pasti rejim bn/umno akan karam dan tersungkur menyembah bumi. kepeda rejim bn/umno lu pikirlah sendiri apa yang telah kauorang buat pada negara Malaysia yang tercinta ini.
kepada DSAI, kami doakan semoga berjaya menjadi pm dan membawa sejuta harapan untuk rakyat. reformasi!! takbir Allahuakhbar!!!
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Berapa lama lagi depa bole bertahan… lawan tetap lawan…
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Assalamualaikum WBT Tuan Editor,
According to the latsest news, Pak Lah rejects meeting with DSAI.What valid reason for a man/leader who has turned to be a bogeyman to the rakyat? Doesn’t one or anyone understand or get the message from the masses that one is not wanted? Then put a consensus and let the rakyat decide given that the people put any leader to look after their interests. It should be a government FOR THE PEOPLE, WITH THE PEOPLE AND BY THE PEOPLE! IF WE WANT TO BE OR EMULATE TO BE “AMERICANS”!
Also it is a shame that Pak Lah doesn’t want to meet DSAI and people would be of the opinion that such a leader is BAACUL or BADUT(which one is it?). Any other world leader/PM would take up the challenge and why for any other reason Pak Lah rejects meeting Anwar? No other Malaysian PM has ever done this. Even Mahathir would take up the challenge!! NAMPAKNYA PAK LAH TAKUT LOSING POWER! BOLEHKAH DYM YANG DIPERTUAN AGONG SURUHNYA BUAT DEMIKIAN??Do we want a leader who Leads his platoon to stay at the back of the platoon when he should be in the foremost frontline to protect his platoon members? God alone knows when one is done for or ON THE BRINK OF BECOMING A HAS BEEN!Come on Pak Lah, we are depending on you to protect us and not back away from meeting DSAI. Be a (GENTLE???ALREADY YOU ARE TOO GENTLE) MAN and be done with it-LAH, LAH!TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE BECAUSEDSAI HAS THROWN IN THE GAUNTLET!!!
COMMENT TETAP COMMENT!!!!!! LAWAN TETAP LAWAN PAK LAH..THAT SHOULD BE YOUR MOTTO ISTEAD OF THE CLARION CALL BY YTH (YANG TERHORMAT!)DSAI. DON’T YOU THINK SO? AND THE LAST QUESTION???wHERE IN TARNATION IS THAT “PENUMPANG” AHMAD ISMAIL “SERANG” FROM KG. BARU (HIS FAMILY WAS LIVING BEHIND THE MUSLIM ORPHANAGE! WHERE IS HE? MAYBE THE HOME MINISTER SHOULD PUT HIM UNDER ISA SO THAT HE WOULD BE PROTECTED FROM THOSE VICIOUS AND BLOOD THIRSTY “PENUMPANG”! NO WORD FROM HIM? MACAM NI KAH YANG DIKATAKAN ANAK JANTAN??????
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view from the moon Reply:
September 24th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
the way you talk, i hope you don’t draw your sword of justice…otherwise all the rakyat will run for cover.
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Anwar is a political geniuses, from his 10 steps, we only understand 1.
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view from the moon Reply:
September 24th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
i hope you speak for yourself…otherwise, we are all in trouble.
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Bravo cik Anwar
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i agree with comment by Malaysian…some people are not well knowledgeable about msian politics..their engagement in politics merely base on semangat only…their mind are damn shallow…sometime these people behave like lalang..no firm principle…today they may support A but suprisingly tomorrow they support B…the worst part they sometime dont know why they support A or B..
so to all my brothers and sisters, please be calm,cool,patience,pray and trust DSAI…
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view from the moon Reply:
September 24th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
do you know you are exactly like the very people that you are complaining about ?
why ? because after your writing of one whole paragraph, you still have not told us why you support DSAI except to say “trust DSAI”.
We only say that to Allah, or Jesus, Buddha and the like, in blind faith but not to a man like DSAI, ok ? DSAI is not a religion and therefore, plse for your own sake, have some logic and judgement in your advise. Anyway, i suppose DSAI would want you to vote for him with your eyes wide open…
You can quote Anwarism or Anwarite etc but not Anwareligion, ok ???
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Insyaallah tak lama lagi
http://video-politik-malaysia.blogspot.com/2008/09/anwar-ibrahim-malaysia-day-celebration.html
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