I WILL FLY TO TAIWAN IF NEEDED, SAYS ANWAR

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) - Opposition leader Anwar
Ibrahim is prepared to fly to Taiwan, if the need be, to meet the 49 Barisan Nasional (BN) members of parliament who are on a study tour there.

He said he had been in communication with the group of MPs and if they
wanted to meet him, he would be in the island nation for further talks.

The group, headed by BN Backbenchers Club deputy chairman Bung
Mokhtar Radin, is scheduled to return on Sept 17.

"The Sept 16 (the day Anwar plans to form a new Federal Government) is a
reality.

"I had discussions with all People's Alliance (Pakatan Rakyat) leaders
and we deliberated on the matter at length...and of course, we are facing some
technical problem after the 49 MPs were shipped out of the country," he
said.

Anwar was speaking to reporters, following a court proceeding where he
faced a sodomy charge at the Sessions Court here.

On former UMNO president Dr Mahathir Mohamad's decision to return to
the party, Anwar said: "To hasten the ship to sink as soon as possible."

On a statement by Armed Forces chief General Abdul Aziz Zainal who
urged the government to take stern action against those who stir up racial
sentiments in the country, the People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat)
(PKR) advisor said it should be given serious attention.

"I welcome the wise statement (of Abdul Aziz) and appeal to all races to
keep their emotions in check and not be used as a tool by anyone to achieve
their political agenda," added Anwar.