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NOV 5 1999
Don't underestimate PAS, says Razaleigh Former Trade Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has been given the task of winning back Kelantan, the only opposition-led state. In an interview with Asiaweek magazine, he said that Umno should not underestimate the opposition Parti Islam. Q: A lot of people are saying that if Prime Minister Mahathir steps down, you will succeed him. A: No. Many other people are suitable for the job. I'm just a nobody. I am nothing. Q: That's not what we hear. If you won Kelantan for Barisan, would there be a groundswell for you to return to Umno's national leadership? A: I have no plans at the moment. What will be, will be. Leave it to fate. Q: How did you patch things up with Dr Mahathir in 1996? A: I suggested we meet at (tycoon) Ananda Krishnan's house. It would be away from the press; nobody would know. He drove his car there; I drove my car there. Nobody suspected. We only had one meeting at Ananda's house. The (reconciliation) took a few months. There was no formula, just an agreement to get together. That's all. I asked for nothing. Q: Do you think Anwar can ever return to Umno? A: If the membership wants to have him back, then of course he'll be re-admitted. But Anwar has been convicted...He himself may no longer want to be part of Umno. But Umno is a Malay party and therefore should be open to all Malays. If the membership feels a certain individual should be brought in because he can contribute towards the struggle of the Malays in the country, why not? You can't write off any politician. Q: Do you agree with the system of capital controls Malaysia has adopted? A: It has worked very well although a lot of people had misgivings about it and a lot of people felt that it was unnecessary. It has helped promote recovery. It has not caused anyone to lose money. So there's no reason why it should not be in place. Q: How do you think the opposition will perform in the elections? A: We should not underestimate PAS. They are well-organised. In Kelantan, they have been getting quite large crowds. I don't think Keadilan will succeed. Keadilan was born of the necessity to be used as a platform for Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Anwar's wife) purely to gain sympathy for Anwar. That is all...I am not questioning their ability. They are qualified people. But it is one thing to be qualified, it is another to have experience how to run a political machine. I'm not saying they are no good. But experience? Zilch. In the elections Keadilan will be wiped out. |
