Malaysia government attacks Anwar

CNN.com - KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysia's government has intensified efforts to portray opposition figure Anwar Ibrahim as a political turncoat, days ahead of general elections that will determine whether he poses a legitimate threat to the ruling coalition.

Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim speaks to reporters Wednesday in Singapore.

Newspapers linked to the ruling National Front coalition published numerous reports Thursday that quoted top government officials accusing Anwar of having shown no respect for ethnic minorities when he was deputy prime minister between 1993 and 1998.

Anwar now leads the People's Justice Party, which is contesting the most number of parliamentary seats of any opposition group in Saturday's ballot.