BUKIT MERTAJAM: Parti Keadilan Rakyat de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday put the blame on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the delay in the opposition's attempt to form a government.

Anwar insisted that the Pakatan Rakyat already had the numbers to form the government on Sept 16.

"We asked Abdullah for a meeting to ensure an orderly transition of power, but he refused to call for a special session of the Parliament to prove Pakatan's majority in the house.

"Never mind, the new government will still be formed soon," Anwar said, but did not mention the new date.

The Permatang Pauh MP said he would ensure that the transition took place in an orderly and peaceful manner. He was speaking at his Hari Raya open house held at his family home in Cherok To'kun here yesterday.
Present were Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, his consort Toh Puan Majimur Shariff and Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He added that there would be "fireworks" when Parliament convened tomorrow to debate Budget 2009.

In Port Dickson, former Umno vice-president Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad advised the public not to believe the promises made by Anwar to form the government.

He said this was the second time Anwar had hoodwinked them by changing the date of forming the new government from Sept 16 to December.

"This is nothing new for him. He will continue to set new dates to ensure his followers do not lose confidence in him," he said at an Aidilfitri open house held at his house yesterday.

The former Jempol MP said Anwar's action was a tactic to get continual support.

Yesterday, Anwar said the new government would most likely be formed before Aidiladha, which falls on Dec 8.