Anwar gives his latest update on takeover plan - (malaysiakini report)

Malaysiakini's report:

Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is now playing down the possibility that he can

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topple the Barisan Nasional-led federal government, saying he is “not in terrible hurry” to do so.

“We are not in a terrible hurry because, particularly in the present economic downturn, we need to engage with government leaders to ensure they take the right measures,” he told a press conference in Parliament House today.

Anwar, also PKR’s Permatang Pauh MP, nevertheless reiterated that the opposition alliance is still working on the takeover plan.

He then mentioned that he has said enough on the issue and that there should be an ‘element of surprise’.

Asked about his options to topple the government, he answered: “We have exhausted (option) one, two, three. There are maybe 10 (more) to go.”

‘It’s getting difficult’

The opposition leader had been asked to comment on his takeover plan in view of the global economic situation and whether his chances would be affected by greater stability in Umno following the finalisation of the leadership transition plan.

Responding, Anwar argued that it would be an “exaggeration” to suggest that the rival Umno will consolidate under Najib Abdul Razak, the deputy president who is slated to take over the party next March if he wins the party polls.

Anwar, the ex-deputy premier and finance minister, has missed a few self-imposed deadlines since Sept 16 to topple the BN government, although he claimed to have the help of lawmakers intending to defect from the ruling coalition.

Pakatan Rakyat, which controls 81 parliamentary seats, needs another 31 MPs in order to get a simple majority to form the federal government. Anwar had claimed he has more than 31 defectors in hand.

In an interview with news agency Bloomberg yesterday, Anwar for the first time conceded that he was running out of options to unseat the government.

“I am not saying we have no options left, but I’m saying it’s getting to be much more difficult,” he was quoted as saying in the interview - malaysiakini.com

FOR AN UPDATE REPORT GO HERE: Anwar's takeover plan?