Anwar claims of BN plot to implicate him in Sulu clampdown

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has alleged of a plot by the Najib administration to include him in its Sulu dragnet, saying last night he was sure he would soon be accused of paying the group of Filipino militants to start the armed incursion in Sabah.
The opposition leader, however, said this would not affect his determination but would instead inspire him further in his goal of toppling Barisan Nasional (BN) from Putrajaya in the coming polls.
“Accuse me, slander me, but don’t expect me to surrender,” Anwar (picture) was quoted as saying by PAS organ Harakah Daily in a ceramah at Puteri Centre Park, Bandar Tasik Puteri here last night.
According to the daily, Anwar was likely referring to the declaration in the Tawau High Court on Wednesday by one of the men charged with engaging in terrorism in Sabah that he had been asked and paid to do so by someone.
In The Star Online’s report on the terror trial, Hooland Kalbi, who was among the eight charged over the Sulu siege, had also said he was “foolish” for involving himself in the incursion.
“This claim of being paid. This is all part of (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib’s (Razak) plan to implicate me,” Anwar was quoted as saying by Harakah.
“Whether they want to accuse me or arrest me, we will continue our fight to topple Umno in the next election.”
Earlier this month, BN leaders alleged that Anwar had instigated the Sulu incursion, citing reports in the Philippine media to back their claims.
The Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia and TV3 had picked up a news report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer several weeks ago, citing an allegation that an unnamed individual allied to Anwar had given the opposition’s support to the Sulu rebels’ claim on Sabah.
Utusan also cited a February 14 report from newswire Reuters, in which an anonymous Philippine military officer reportedly said a Malaysian opposition politician had invited the Sulu men to discuss land matters.
Najib immediately ordered an investigation into the matter.
Anwar has denied the allegations. The PKR de facto leader claimed the accusations were meant to divert public attention from Putrajaya’s weak handling of the situation.

Source themalaysianinsider