Same old tune

PAS blasts Malaysia government

KOTA BHARU, Malaysia (AFP) - Malaysia's main Islamic opposition party launched a bitter attack on the government Friday as it geared up for an expected early call for a general election.
Struggling to regain popularity after getting trounced at the polls in 2004, the hardline Pan-Malaysia Islamic Party (PAS) lashed out at Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his moderate brand of Islam.
PAS leader Abdul Hadi Awang, addressing the party's annual congress, said corruption was on the rise in Malaysia despite the leadership of Abdullah, an Islamic scholar by training.
"What is most shameful is that while he is famed for his brand of Islam, which has been marketed to the whole world, corruption cases in his administration are increasing greatly," Abdul Hadi said.
The party congress is being held in the city of Kota Bharu in the state of Kelantan, where it is the ruling party. PAS in 2005 declared Kota Bharu an "Islamic city," aiming to run it based on Islamic law or sharia.
But it lost control of another state in the 2004 general election, which saw its seats in parliament slashed from 27 to five, and analysts believe it will be an uphill battle for PAS regain ground in the next election.
Malaysia is due for a general election in early 2009 but opposition parties say they expect Abdullah to call a poll before then.
"Whether it happens soon, before September or early next year, or if the prime minister wants to end his full term until March 2009, I call on all the election machinery ... to increase their preparedness," Abdul Hadi said.
PAS is in a coalition with the opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), informally led by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The three-day congress ends Sunday, when results on party elections will be announced. Opposition icon Anwar is expected to address delegates on Saturday.

tunku : it is best for pas to accuse the government with some evidence,not just talk and talk.as for pas, the current leadership is no longer relevant especially hadi awang and nik aziz.