KUCHING: Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has done more harm than good to the country in his endeavour to topple the Barisan Nasional (BN) government in recent months.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, who said this yesterday, added: “Anwar has destablised the country’s political scene and driven away investors. Isn’t this a bad thing for the country? Bad.”

He said this when reporters asked him for his reaction to Anwar’s statement that it was not the right time for the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition to topple the government.

Anwar said it was not appropriate to make such a move now in view of the global economic crisis.

Dr Chan, who is Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) president, said Anwar should have known right from the start that it was impossible to go against the country’s democratic practice.

“BN won 140 seats against (the opposition’s) 80. How to take over?” he asked.

He said Anwar should just concentrate on keeping PR’s promise to the five states that the opposition won in the March polls and prove to the people that they could do better than BN.

He said voters would make PR the government and Anwar the prime minister in the next general elections if the opposition coalition really performed well for the people.

Dr Chan said for now Anwar and his men should focus on helping the people through this difficult time and give investors back their confidence.

“We should not add more problems but go down to the people and help them overcome this difficult time. Enough of politicking,” he said.

Dr Chan said BN leaders were responsible people and would not promise the heaven and earth to the people just to be in power.

“We’re here for the long haul - not just five years and then go away. The government wants to stay for a long time and look after the people,” he said.