Anwar threatens to ‘open can of worms'

Anwar threatens to ‘open can of worms'

21-08-2008
by Regina William

BUKIT MERTAJAM: Don't push your luck with me or I will open your can of worms! This was the threat issued by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak following allegations which resurfaced here against him.

The latest was that of him ogling at the wife of Larut member of parliament (MP) and Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Hamzah Zainuddin a decade ago.

At a gathering in Permatang Pauh on Tuesday night, Hamzah repeated the allegations which first also surfaced in 1998.

"I am being very patient all this time, but I would like to warn them not to push me beyond the limit. If I open my mouth on personal matters, Najib will be kept busy answering them for a very long time. I have refrained from doing so, as this is not a personal battle but about the political future of the country.

"Remember, I too was in the government and I was privy to a lot of information. Najib knows what I know and he knows what I am talking about. Don't push me to respond or he will regret it," Anwar said.

Anwar, who labelled the Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders as hypocrites, said they should be the last people to talk about morality.

On Tuesday night, at several ceramahs, Anwar warned Najib that he would not hesitate to expose "Port Dickson" if the latter did not stop the personal attacks against him.

He also criticised Hamzah and threatened to take legal action against him.

"Why didn't he lodge a police report? How can a deputy minister use the campaign about his wife being ‘disturbed' and please tell me how or where was she ‘disturbed'?

"Don't be a hypocrite, and I know these people are being used to deflect the real issues here. What kind of a human being would make such allegations and I cannot believe Umno would stoop so low and I believe there is more to come.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there are video tapes distributed even in the villages now, videos of Sukma Darmawan's and Dr Munawar Ahmad Anees' admission of me sodomising them being distributed though this issue is 10 years old," Anwar said at a press conference.

Anwar added that despite the allegations being thrown repeatedly at him, he would proceed with his policy of good governance, fairness and reducing the hardships of the people.