ALOR STAR, MALAYSIA: Malaysians are suffering economically because of Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's attempts to topple the Government, an academic claimed.

"If Anwar fails to topple the Government as planned on Sept 16, he will continue trying for the next few years," said Universiti Utara Ma-laysia College of Law, Government and Inter- national Studies research and post graduate dean Prof Mohd Mustafa Ishak.

"He also had the nerve to demand an urgent closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whom he is planning to topple. It sounds ridiculous

"The Prime Minister already has his hands full handling the uncertainties and arising chaos created by Anwar," he said.

Prof Mohd Mustafa was commenting on Anwar's demand for an urgent closed-door meeting with Abdullah to discuss national security and the future of Malaysian politics.

"National security is the Government's responsibility. The opposition's job within the context of democracy is to provide checks and balances," he said.

Prof Mohd Mustafa noted that it was not good for the nation's economy if political uncertainties persist.

He pointed out that Anwar had failed to contain the 1997 economic crisis, when he was Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, adding that investors were already exercising extreme caution because of perceived political instability.

On the Pakatan Rakyat government in Perak, he said it was courting the people's wrath by giving away vast tracts of land to mine operators.

"What is the rationale behind giving such large pieces of land to capitalists? The land should be returned to the state government. It should benefit the people, not mining tycoons," he added.