> Anwar says victory only delayed

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim admitted today his plans to topple the Barisan Nasional (BN) government had been foiled but he did not say whether he had abandoned the idea of engineering defections to take power.

“Yes there have been setbacks. We skirted with destiny on Sept 16 and despite our best efforts, our march to victory has been delayed. I empathise with you and with the people of Malaysia,” said the PKR de facto leader.

“We are all forced to further endure the slings and arrows of an incompetent government that has lost touch with the people,” he added.

Speaking before 2,000 party delegates at the PKR annual national congress, Anwar took the opportunity to rally his supporters and attempted to redefine his promise for change.

“Although our promise has not yet been fulfilled, the Pakatan Rakyat leaders and I remain committed to the agenda for change and our tenacity has never been stronger,” said Anwar to loud cheers from the crowd.

His fighting words to the party faithful came amid a sense of waning momentum on the part of the opposition Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) challenge to the BN federal government.

The BN’s transition plans, which will see Datuk Seri Najib Razak take over as prime minister from Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi next March, has brought renewed stability to a government badly shaken by the resurgent opposition boosted by the March general election results - The Malaysian Insider.