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Web posted at: 8/25/2006 4:33:4
Source ::: AFP
KUALA LUMPUR • Former deputy prime minister Anwar
Ibrahim said yesterday he had evidence proving 2004 general
elections were rife with fraud, and that Malaysia was a “sham
democracy”.
Anwar, who was sacked and jailed on corruption and sodomy
charges in 1998, said that opposition strongholds were not
provided with polling booths and that phantom voters bumped up
support for the ruling National Front coalition.
The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), of which Anwar
was once a leading light, is the head of the coalition and has
ruled the country since independence in 1957.
“At the crux of this is the fact that Malaysian elections are
neither free nor fair,” Anwar said at a press conference. “I
will present solid evidence to disclose the manipulation, lies
and weaknesses that tarnishes the integrity of Malaysia
elections.”
Anwar said he would release a report into the allegations on
September 2 at the national congress of Keadilan, the party
founded by his wife after his sacking, which he has become
closely involved with in recent months.
“When Malaysia gained its independence, our founding fathers
dreamt of a free, prosperous and democratic nation. Sadly,
nearly half a century onwards, Malaysia is but a sham
democracy,” he said.
The National Front performed strongly in the 2004 ballot,
routing the opposition Islamic party and Keadilan, and reversing
losses made in the previous elections which saw a voter backlash
after the bitter Anwar saga.
Although the sodomy charge against him has been overturned, the
corruption charge still stands and excludes him from politics
until 2008, the same year that the next election must be called
by.
“We don’t know when the elections are going to be. We sense a
general wave of support for the opposition against corruption
and excesses of the government. And we have reasons to suspect
that fraudulent practices will continue,” he said.
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