July 07, 2008	Monday	Rajab 3, 1429

KUALA LUMPUR, July 6: Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim told some 20,000 supporters at an anti-inflation rally on Sunday that the government should quit over a recent fuel price hike.

The crowd chanted “PM resign” as Anwar criticised Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for last month’s 41 per cent increase in the cost of petrol which has deepened his unpopularity after disastrous March general elections.

Anwar, who is fighting new accusations of sodomy — the same charge that saw him jailed a decade ago — has said he is poised to seize power with the help of defecting lawmakers from the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition.

“The people are desperate but the government is happy,” he told the rally.

“If oil prices cannot be reduced, the BN government should step down.” The marathon protest was held at a stadium in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur despite a police ban and amid deepening political turmoil with Anwar and deputy premier Najib Razak trading serious allegations against each other.

“I vow we will fight and struggle until the Pakatan Rakyat becomes the next government of Malaysia,” Anwar said, referring to his three-party opposition alliance.

“But believe me, what was alleged 10 years ago is being repeated with malice and slander, and I will not accept this but will fight it to the end.”—AFP