PM RUBISHES OPPOSITION`S NEW DEADLINE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 (Bernama)-- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on
Monday described the Opposition's new deadline to form the federal government by
early December as "nonsense" and "a waste of time".

The prime minister said he could not see any reason for ruling Barisan
Nasional (BN) members to leave the coalition and join People's Alliance
(PR).

"Barisan Nasional is the winner in the last general election and we have
jobs to do. We may have differences among ourselves and some are not easily
resolved but the fact is that we have been given the trust by the
people.

"We form a strong government and we will continue to do whatever we can to
develop the country. This is the chance for the party, so why would anyone want
to leave the party?" said Abdullah.

The prime minister, who was met after delivering a keynote address at the
US-Islamic World Regional Forum here, was asked to comment on the new deadline
set by Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to wrest power from the BN.

After failing to meet his self-imposed Sept 16 deadline, Anwar had set Dec
8 as the new date and claimed that he had enough defectors from the BN to form a
new administration before "Hari Raya Haji" (an Islamic festival celebrated in
conjunction with the Haj pilgrimage and to commemorate Prophet Ibrahim's spirit
of sacrifice), which falls on that date.

"It's all nonsense but he keeps doing it because that's the only way to
create an interest. I think you are wasting your time," said Abdullah.