Former Indonesian vice-president Jusuf Kalla has told Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to concede the fact that he had lost in the 13th General election and “move on” for the sake of malaysia’s political and economic stability.
Jusuf also said Anwar had, in a meeting in Jakarta prior to the May 5 polls, requested Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to allow a peaceful transition of power if Pakatan won.
“During a meeting here (Jakarta) in April, Anwar had asked me to convey a message to Najib that he should allow a peaceful transition of rule.
"It was Anwar himself who came to me to talk about commitment. Hence, he should also fulfil his commitment. Commitment is not only the responsibility of one party.
"The losing party must accept the reality. That is (Anwar's) commitment. You must agree that you have lost and the loser should assist the winner (to steer the nation).
"By right, everyone should fulfil their respective commitments. Anwar, Najib and I are beholden (to the commitment of) peaceful elections."
Jusuf's stance echoed the sentiments of Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob who had called on opposition supporters to respect the outcome of the election and distance themselves from uprisings to overthrow the government.
Anwar's deputy Azmin Ali had also joined the fray, stressing the importance of fulfilling the party's manifesto, instead of going to town to hold rallies at the expense of forsaking the people's mandate in Pakatan-ruled states.
Their remarks came following Anwar's campaign that included holding rallies in various locations nationwide to protest against what he alleged as electoral fraud that had "robbed" Pakatan of victory.
Jusuf, a long-time friend of Anwar, said the opposition leader should accept the election results, and reconcile with Najib for the good of the country.
It was reported yesterday that Jusuf had expressed his disappointment with Anwar over his reluctance to accept defeat and for rejecting any initiative to reconcile with his rivals in Barisan Nasional.
His disappointment was conveyed by Indonesia's former law and human rights minister Hamid Awaluddin, who was quoted by Indonesian national daily, Republika.
The daily had quoted Hamid as saying that Anwar had promised Jusuf that he would control his opposition coalition if he was defeated by Najib, who is BN chairman.
The report said despite claiming electoral fraud, Anwar had yet to prove his claims through legal means.
Meanwhile, political analysts said Anwar's statement that he would be arrested soon by police was typical of the opposition leader's penchant for theatrics.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Assoc Prof Dr Samsul Adabi Mamat said it was unfair for Anwar to preempt police action to gain his supporters' sympathy.
"All he is doing is creating unrest and unnecessary provocation in the current political climate."
International affairs and political cluster head of the National Professors' Council, Prof Datuk Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak, said Anwar's latest ploy was "not something new".
"It might be to create sympathy or to place the government in a bad light.
Source: New Straits Times
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