KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - - Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday he has secured the support of more than 31 government lawmakers, enabling him to form a new administration with a slim majority.
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"We have a slight majority, it is in excess of 31," he said of the number of parliamentarians from the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition who have agreed to switch sides.
"We have achieved victory. Hopefully with this win we can regain the country's dignity."
He did not reveal any names but said he had asked to meet with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to discuss a transition of power and was prepared to show him the list of defectors.
Abdullah has rejected Anwar 's claims as "political lies" and ruled out resigning, but the opposition leader urged him to accept a peaceful handover.
"We have now the required numbers to form a government. The PM cannot deny us and refuse to engage with an alternative government. I appeal to the government to allow a smooth transition," he told a press conference.
"We want the process to be seen as conciliatory, we want the transition to be peaceful but we have a limit to our patience. We will give a few days then we have to reconsider our options."
Abdullah did not rule out a meeting earlier Tuesday, but his spokesman Kamal Khalid said it was unlikely.
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