KEPALA BATAS: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim did nothing when he was Education Minister and he sang different tunes before different crowds, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said.

The Prime Minister agreed with Dr Chandra Muzaffar's comments on Monday about the former deputy prime minister.

“There is truth in what Dr Chandra said about him (Anwar), based on what he has done before.”

Abdullah said Anwar made no changes when he was Education Minister and there was no career advancement for many experienced teachers.

He said Anwar would say different things to different audiences.

Abdullah also agreed with former Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik who on Saturday described Anwar as a “chameleon”.

“Keng Yaik knows Anwar very well. He (Anwar) promised the Indians a lot of things. But what did he do when he was in the Government?” the Prime Minister asked.

Abdullah was commenting on Dr Chandra’s opinion that the country would face “unmitigated disaster” should Anwar become the prime minister.

Dr Chandra had said at The Star-Asian Centre for Media Studies public forum on the General Election 2008 on Monday that Anwar was not the sort of leader the country needed as he was singing a different tune when he was in Government.

On why he finally broke his silence about Anwar who had been criticising the Government during his campaign rounds, Abdullah said: “Whatever is appropriate, I have to say.”

Earlier when launching the I-Pintar interactive programme for rural schools at SK Hashim Awang, the Prime Minister said the Opposition had brought in their jaguh (champion) to hit out at the Government.

“Apa yang Anwar Ibrahim buat selama jadi Menteri Pelajaran? (What did Anwar Ibrahim do when he was Education Minister?)” he asked the crowd.

The Prime Minister then turned to current Education Minister Datuk Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, who was present, and asked him about the two-tier salary scheme that did not move during Anwar’s period.

“During his time, those wanting a promotion had to be education officers although they still loved teaching.

“Now, they do not have to be education officers but can still be super teachers (guru cemerlang) and with a higher salary scale.”

On the Opposition’s price hike campaign line, Abdullah said the pledges made by their leaders were only empty promises and that the country would face inflation and go bankrupt if they were implemented.

He also said the Opposition leaders were trying to fool the people when they said they would reduce fuel price and give RM6,000 each to poor families.

“They just want the rakyat to feel seronok (feel good).

“The Barisan Nasional has never made empty promises. We always deliver our pledges. Tapi bila kita buat, depa buat ronyeh (colloquial Penang dialect that literally translates as “when we want to do it, they disturb our plans”).

“I have never talked about this matter but it is time for me to say it. Naik geram juga (I am upset),” he said.

source: theStar