Pakatan Rakyat clarified today that there should be "no confusion" about its official stand on the Petronas Refinery and Petrochemical Integrated Development (Rapid) project in Pengerang, Johor.

"In principle, we never say ‘no' to development. But the Rapid project is problematic as it clashes with our principles.

NONE"Traditional villages are being displaced, grave sites taken over and the people evicted despite alternative sites being available," Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim explained at a press conference at his office in the Parliament tower today.

Speaking after chairing the weekly Pakatan Leadership Council meeting, Anwar said the coalition's call was for the project to be stopped until a detailed environmental impact assessment study was completed and full consultations done with the affected people.

Neither of these he said, have yet been completed.

He also clarified the call by Johor PKR chief Chua Jui Meng to stop the project as referring to a postponement of the refinery complex construction, not a permanent hiatus.

Chua's call for the project to be scrapped has caused fingers to be pointed to the opposition as being anti-development, resulting in quick clarifications by other party leaders and this official, united stand today.