PM DOESN'T NEED TO SEE ANWAR, SAYS MUHYIDDIN

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi does not need to see opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim,
said Umno vice president Muhyiddin Yassin.

The meeting supposedly to discuss a power transition as claimed by Anwar
was a mere tactic, he said.

"No need, I think, though it was not in my right to say it; but in my
opinion what's the use of the meeting? We should not get trapped by his
deception.

"He did that to tell the Malaysian people 'look, I am the successor and
that's why I want to see the prime minister now, I will take over' so the
people would think that that is so."

Muhyiddin who is International Trade and Industry Minister, told reporters
this after a breaking of fast with the media hosted by the ministry at a hotel
here Tuesday night.

Muhyiddin said he was sure Abdullah knew better and would not be trapped
by Anwar's tactic.

Anwar has said that he has secured enough majority to form a new
government and would meet Abdullah to discuss the transfer of power but until
now, he has
refused to name the over 30 National Front (Barisan Nasional) (BN) members of
Parliament (MPs) who are crossing over to People's Alliance (Pakatan
Rakyat).

It was a hoax, said Muhyiddin. BN MPs were not products that could be
traded, he added.

"The BN MPs have made their pledge and are holding strongly to the pledge
they have made, so we should also hold on to the pledge they have made, so the
issue of taking over the government where you don't have the majority is a hoax;
it is fake and it is not right, unconstitutional at the same time.

"He says he has the number but when we ask him give us the number he has
not given us the number. So how you can trust this sort of a man who is trying
to play the people's sentiment and making fool of all Malaysians," he said.

On Anwar's plan to seek an audience with the King after meeting the prime
minister, Muhyiddin said His Majesty should not be involved in the matter.

"His Majesty is the head of our country. Why we want to involve him in this
matter. His Majesty is apolitical, does not take sides and we have to respect
the position of the rulers and the King," he said.

Muhyiddin said that according to the constitution, the prime minister was
to be appointed among those entrusted by the majority of the people in a general
election and an MP having the command of a party.

This rule, he said, had become a guide in the country's constitutional
monarchy system and been practised since independence.

-- BERNAMA