Anwar confident coalition govt will serve full term

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim yesterday said he was confident that the coalition government under his leadership would serve its full term. 

Addressing over 100 diplomatic officers in Putrajaya, he appeared unperturbed by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's remarks on toppling the current government.

"Whatever is being said by the PAS president, I'm confident that this coalition will survive until the end of its term," he said.

Hadi reportedly said that no party would be able to stop Perikatan Nasional's (PN) plans to topple the government, and that politics was dynamic with such practices considered normal in a democratic country.

At the session, Anwar said that in order for the country to regain its past glory, Malaysians including government officers must not only uphold good governance but be ready to make changes.

"I'm sending a strong message to Malaysia that we have to chart a different course. We must do this and effect this change, which is necessary to save this country from the mess that we have been in.

"It is not a matter of choice, it is imperative and morally imperative," he said.

Anwar also called on the heads of diplomatic missions to do better for the country, saying it was vital for Malaysian officers and diplomats overseas to set an example of what it meant to be a good competent leader.

"Why do you serve and observe the principles of good governance where ethics and values are pertinent?

"It is setting the priority to serve the nation, which means you have a duty to encourage people to come as tourists and investors in order to bring light and hope to Malaysians," he said.