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Tuesday May 7, 2013

GE13: Lim Kit Siang refuses Opposition Leader’s post

By REGINA LEE and LOSHANA K. SHAGAR
newsdesk@thestar.com.my


<b>More work to do:</b> Anwar says he will not be retiring from politics just yet. More work to do: Anwar says he will not be retiring from politics just yet.

PETALING JAYA: PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is willing to give up the Opposition Leader's post to DAP's Lim Kit Siang as DAP is the biggest block in the pact with 38 parliamentary seats.

However, Lim rejected the offer.

“This morning I met him and I said look, it's okay. I can still chair the Pakatan Rakyat coalition', but he said no and he wants me to continue, so does PAS,” said Anwar, who assumed the position after the Permatang Pauh by-election in 2008.

After Sunday's general election, PKR has 30 seats and PAS 21 seats.

Despite Lim's objections in assuming the post which he previously held from 1975 to 1999, Anwar said that he would still persuade the DAP veteran.

“I need to persuade him. I have other tasks to do, not just fighting in Parliament,” said Anwar yesterday.

He also said that he would not be retiring from politics just yet, despite saying that he would if he was unsuccessful in wresting Putrajaya from Barisan Nasional.

“If we assume that the elections are fair and free and that the people say no' to us, then I may (resign). In fact I am in communication with some universities already.

“But now I have a duty. They robbed us of our elections and I want to present the case on behalf of Malaysians,” he said.

He added that Pakatan is looking at alleged irregularities found in 29 to 31 seats, but remained non-committal in filing a formal election petition on it.

Although he said the party lawyers might file the case in court, he added that he had little confidence in the legal system and the Election Commission.

Yesterday, Lim said DAP remains firm in its support of Anwar as the parliamentary Opposition Leader.

Lim said he continued to support Anwar as he had been the candidate for Prime Minister if Pakatan had come to power.

“Although this is not the case, the preparation and commitment for Pakatan remains, and that is why we propose that Anwar continue as the parliamentary Opposition Leader.

“He will also definitely become the shadow Prime Minister,” he said at a press conference yesterday.

For more election stories, please visit The Star's GE13 site

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