The next few months would be a real test of Malaysian institutions, democracy, legal system and social contract with the people. The charges against Anwar are an insult on the people's intelligence. However, with the exception of staunch Anwar supporters and political activists , most are contented to wait and see how the drama unfolds.

That Anwar has to avoid public appearances for fear of his safety has set back his plans to build up support and topple the UMNO government. The highlight on sodomy allegations would have given the government a reprieve as attention is diverted away from complaints against the govenrment's mismanagement of the economy and suspicion of the DPM's links with the Mongolian lady's murder case.

The main obstacle to Anwar's brand of multi-racialism is the strong vested interests in racial discrimination and communal politics. Given that UMNO elite, cronies and majority of the bumis clinging on to power and special privileges, it would be difficult for Anwar get the upperhand. Thinking that Malaysia is resource rich and these corrupt politicians believe they could afford to pilfer the nation's wealth.

There are too few progressive Malays in the league of Raja Petra Kamarudin who would be able to convince more of their race to relinquish the unfair distribution of rights and wealth and get the nation out of the festering malaise. Perhaps inflation and the economic downturn are issues that will awaken people. The alternative would be a spiral down the drain.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/1/parliament/21702052&sec=parliament

Quote:

The seat of Datuk Ibrahim Ali (Independent – Pasir Mas) was moved to the front yesterday and he was also the first to debate the motion on the Mid-Term Review (MTR) of the Ninth Malaysia Plan as all the other opposition MPs had staged a walkout. Ibrahim was picked to debate after Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak completed his ministerial statement on the MTR. Apart from touching on Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Ibrahim urged the Government to organise a Bumiputra Economic Council forum to look into the privileges of bumiputras as a means to reorganise society. He said the New Economic Policy (NEP) had created cronyism but this was not the aim of the NEP. Ibrahim also urged the police to probe into a statutory declaration made by Raja Petra Kamarudin on the Altantuya Shaariibuu case and the allegation made by Judge Ian Chin regarding a police report lodged against the judge. Last week, Ibrahim protested, threw his Standing Orders on the table and left the House in a huff after he was not picked to debate on the Government’s motion on the price increases of goods.

The hopes for a new Malaysia may have dimmed but Anwar still has a fighting chance to discredit the UMNO government and rally public support if he plays it well. Anwar may not fit the mould of a great politicians and statesman but he gives Malaysians hope for a better future in comparison with the dispicable and hopeless incumbent government.

http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2008/7/1/columnists/ceritalah/21700255&sec=ceritalah

Power, power, power...Ceritalah
By KARIM RASLAN

Quote:

Ten years ago Malaysia erupted, as a high-level political face-off between two men and their supporters deteriorated into vile and grubby moral lynching. On hindsight, it’s hard not to conclude that the victors – ironically – ended up being more compromised and damaged than the victim, who later emerged from prison as a hero. If indeed there is a conspiracy afoot with last weekend’s dramatic series of events, this all-important lesson from 1998 appears not to have been learnt. Last weekend’s events, whatever their truth, cannot be separated from what transpired 10 years ago. We will inevitably compare and contrast the two sets of events – looking for parallels, differences and of course clues as to how the respective scandals or frame-ups (it’s one or the other depending on who you believe) unfold. Because of this we will be dealing with a similar set of issues: firstly, the incredulity and anger of the majority of Malaysians; secondly, executive interference with the judiciary and the police; and thirdly, the personalities of the key players – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak – as well as a political elite for whom the transition of power is an anathema. Most of the people I’ve talked to – strictly non-politicians – have rejected the latest accusations against the former deputy prime minister out-of-hand. We cannot help but see the weekend’s events in the light of recent political developments and Anwar's thrust for power. For many of us, 1998 was a shocking breach in Malaysian political culture – something that we never wished to revisit. It angered and embarrassed us – not because we were die-hard Anwar supporters, but because we were Malaysians who believed in a modicum of decency. The black eye he sustained whilst in police detention was something that shamed us all, serving to increase our existing distrust and scepticism of the police force. Sadly the 2005 Royal Commission of Inquiry on the Police failed to assuage popular discontent and today the police force remains as controversial as before. Last weekend’s revelations have sparked off many of these memories. Whilst political leaders on both sides, including Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat, have been calling for calm pending a full police investigation, we must acknowledge that for many people the phrase “police investigation” is not a reassuring one. The second and interconnected issue is the weakened state of the judiciary. Given the furore generated by the V.K. Lingam tapes inquiry are we surprised that many feel similarly disenchanted with the courts, especially over cases with a political complexion? While Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has done much to set reforms in place, there is no doubt that many in the Cabinet and Umno resent his initiatives. However, a key difference in 2008 is Abdullah. Most Malaysians have mocked Abdullah for his less than stellar performance on the job. Comparisons with his eagle-eyed predecessor have not been favourable. Still, it seems unlikely that Abdullah, who has never really treated Anwar with much concern, would stoop to such measures. Indeed the Prime Minister has always behaved like a gentleman. In 2004, he conceded – and very gracefully, too – to the Federal Court's decision that led to Anwar’s early release. Abdullah’s conciliatory and low-key personality should mean that the latest explosive development could well have a lesser impact on both Umno and Barisan Nasional. To my mind the key focus will instead be on how individuals within the security and legal apparatus deal with the case. The same is going to be true of Najib, whose on-going struggle to manage the fall-out of the Altantuya murder trial has damaged his legitimacy as a prominent Umno leader. Frankly, if the authorities handle the case poorly and end up turning Anwar once again into a martyr, I am willing to wager that he may well end up as our Prime Minister. To those who would advocate throwing the book at him I would urge caution – public sympathy would be overwhelming. Moreover, Barisan’s standing – given the recent oil price rise – among Malaysians as a whole is limited, and the resentment could prove uncontrollable once ignited. Nonetheless, leading up to last weekend I was becoming increasingly uncertain as to whether or not Anwar actually had the all-important numbers to cross over in order to secure the federal government. This explosive case has made the issue of the numbers secondary. Finally, Anwar, the man: complex, ambitious, duplicitous, mercurial, but always brilliant. While he is truly Shakespearean in his reach, it remains to be seen whether he’s a tragic hero (a man fatally flawed like Macbeth or King Lear) or a Henry V, a man who assumes power and then leads with dignity and courage: we just don’t know. Anwar has the ability to conjure up the most enthralling political rhetoric. He can sweep away decades of Barisan’s “divide-and-rule” drivel. The mere existence of the Pakatan Rakyat is due to his extraordinary political skills. But amid the shimmering language and glitter is a man whose sense of his own innate destiny can get just little wearisome. He can be melodramatic (witness the unproven death threats), self-important, and at times wholly unreliable – a leader whose actual record in administration was far less impressive than many realise. As we Malaysians try to figure out what has really happened we shouldn’t lose sight of one central fact – the refusal of our political elite to come to terms with shifts in political power. Power is not God given: it ebbs and flows, and maybe Umno’s day is over, at least until the party can learn to respect the Malaysian people with more dignity. We must never forget that the current obsession with sodomy and C4 explosives is really just about one thing: the power that corrupts, and the absolute power that corrupts absolutely.

Strong vested interests win hand downs agaisnt Idealism.

And Anwar alos represented "strong vested interested".

ANother case of "The King is Dead! Long live the King!"

_________________
The Law of The Kingdom is the Law

Lai CF:

Quote:

ANother case of "The King is Dead! Long live the King!"

You like to talk in parables? Care to explain and enlighten us more.

Anwar Ibrahim is a charismatic politician who has an axe to grind and I like to see him seeking justice by getting into power. Just like a good movie, I like a good ending with the underdog winning. But he has to be very careful in his moves for there are many closet UMNO members in the Police and the Armed Forces who owe their keepsake with the current government. The years of corruption under Mahathir especially, has made the country really bad. Maybe, the Federation should dissolve and let the rulers run each state separately.

_________________
The Law of The Kingdom is the Law

Lai CF, could you explain in what ways Anwar could be another Mahathir? Many of us would be curious to know how the two men could be the same? I don't think Mahathir has charisma. I assume you understand Bahasa and would have listened to the speeches of the two men. Mahathir is a wily survivor, abrasive, brutal and ruthless, not a man with grace or patience, he dictates more than he listens and is easily offended, that even age has no mellowing effect.

Anwar as DPM was responsible for implementing the NEP. However, Anwar's downfall engineered by Mahathir, spurred him to think more for the rakyat and hopefully he's a changed man. The GE is a good indication that the people entrusted Anwar to bring about much needed changes for Malaysia.

Anwar is not an underdog but a political outcast? Care to explain this statement?

Could you also care to explain "Lee Hsien Loong to SIngapore in 2004" and "Anwar 2008 is to Malaysia now." Anwar's victory was hard won against all odds. Some may even argue that Singapore PM had the prize on the silver platter. Again, I see a world of difference between Anwar as opposition leader (though he claims to be PM in waiting) while Lee is the PM.

Thanks XP for giving a succintly good reply and perhaps Lai CF can grasp the big difference between Anwar, Mahathir and Hsien Loong.

Anwar had been a party to a policy set by Mahathir to disenfranchise the other races besides the Malays through the National Economic Policy (NEP). He was also the Education Minister that enforced the downgrading of Chinese education. These are the "crimes" of Anwar that the Malaysian Chinese Association, a component party of the ruling Barisan Nasional, has the audacity to mention, now that Anwar is in the opposition. The MCA has no guts to state and challenge the downgrading of the rights of the Chinese and was only satisfied with crumbs thrown at them by the UMNO masters. Thus we saw the tsunami shift of non-Malay votes to the opposition coalition organised by Anwar.

Mahathir was a racist from start and Tengku saw that. But forces of Nationalist Malay were too strong for Tengku to disavow Mahathir. Thus eventually Mahathir was readmitted to the ruling UMNO after Tengku's power was removed. Abdul Razak, current Deputy PM's father, recognised the potential of Mahathir to carry out the soon to be released NEP-type of policies.

Anwar was a Muslim student leader who was interned after the 69 riots but was soon released when he posed no threat to UMNO. Eventually, he was recruited into UMNO by Mahathir who saw him as a potential counter force to the Pan Islamic forces (PMIP then). Anwar rose quickly through the ranks of UMNO when Mahathir took control of the Malay party, UMNO.
The rest is history.

After Anwar was sacked by Mahathir and spent time in prison and periods of sojourn in teaching assignments in Harvard University, he had time to reflect on the nature of Malaysian politics which he recognised as a ticking social time bomb where different races are on divergent courses and heading only towards racial conflicts. Plus he recognises the cronyism and corruption that are pervasive with the ruling Malay party while rural Malays are still disenfranchised from the national progress and wealth.

Some of Anwar's current thoughts of racial harmony and fair play in government have struck common chords with the voters of various races. Hopefully, his current trumped up charges of sodomy do not hold and derail his political return. The "wayang kulit" is no more entertaining and has become too expensive especially when inflation is on the rise and the world economy is threatening the livelihood of every Nation that is ill-prepared.

Lai CF, have you been residing too long in that desert place where the heat has got the better of you?

I’m afraid I don’t follow what you’re trying to say. Apart from parables that Kebau has pointed out, you also seem to talk like a medium in trance, uttering single statements that don’t make any sense.

When the King is dead, isn’t it stupidity to wish Long live the King, which a medium in a trance would utter.

_________________
The Law of The Kingdom is the Law

Thousands gathered at the fuel price rally

Quote:

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi told Bernama he was perturbed by the protest. 'I also know that the people are becoming fed up with the political manoeuvres taking place currently,' he said, referring obliquely to the acrimonious trading of accusations between Mr Anwar and Mr Najib over the past week. Mr Anwar's camp has accused Mr Najib of being behind the sodomy accusations and dropped a bombshell suggesting he had had a sexual relationship with a murdered Mongolian model. So far, Mr Anwar seems to have emerged from the bickering stronger, with a poll showing that many believe him to be a victim of a political conspiracy.

http://www.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20080707-74987.html

Lai C.F. :

Aren't all politicians opportunists? Why prejudge Anwar before he even enters the seat of power. There's nothing sinful in having incentives and rewards - that's the reality of human existence - economics and politics. There's a difference between a detached leadership which is what UMNO has become and a people's leader that Anwar. Don't uderestimate the Anwar magic. When we refer to supporters for Badawi or Mahathir, we should have clarify of mind that UMNO is not cohesive bloc but a party formed with different vested interests and affiliations.

Anwar puts on a brave front and carries on his political activities. It's business as usual :

Summer 2008 Tour - Towards a New Dawn

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is in the midst of a summer tour throughout Malaysia to build greater support for the Pakatan Rakyat.

Schedule : confirmed dates and locations

July 1 - Shah Alam, Selangor
July 5 - Permatang Pauh, Penang
July 6 - Kelana Jaya, Selangor
July 10 - Seremban, NS
July 11 - Kota Bharu, Kelantan
July 12 - Alor Star, Kedah
July 18 - Melaka
July 19 - Kuantan, Pahang
July 20 - Muar, Johor
July 26 - Sarawak

For detailed information check www.anwaribrahimblog.com

"Pagi semalam saya ditemani Azizah ke Jabatan Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan untuk menfailkan tuntutan qazaf. Saya dinasihati oleh ulama’ dari dalam dan luar negara untuk berbuat demikian kerana jelas saya difitnah."

Has Anwar lost the plot? It's anyone's guess given the nature of Malaysian politics.

Anwar might have miscalculated the consequences of challenging the PM and DPM. He might have overestimated his ability to work within the biased government controlled bureaucracy and legal system, and banked too much on his support base in the opposition camp. However, would Anwar have been able to realise his goals for a Malaysian Malaysia by taking a slower pace to consolidate his power base, say for the next elections?

It won't be easy to choose between striking while the iron is hot or hatching a cautious plan. Procrastinating may not necessarily be advantageous for Anwar as UMNO would retailiate whatever his plans may be to undermine the ruling party. The chances of Anwar becoming PM would probably be dimmed once becomes PM. Let's not be naive and pretend that politicians' motivations are not to win power. Given the circumstances, Anwar probably has limited options but to go all out to challenge the incumbent political leadership. Could Anwar have afforded to wait another few years? Would he have been better off, safer, maybe, but not neccesarily getting closer to the centre of power.

http://news.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20080717-77148.html

Extracts from Malaysian columnist Karim Raslan's article :

Quote:

On March 8 at the helm of the Pakatan Rakyat, he shook the nation's political foundations. Upending the stale status quo, he showed that there was an alternative to 50 years of Umno. Malaysians - including diehard Umno supporters - owe him a debt of gratitude for his endeavours in this respect. He has forced the party of Merdeka into a measure of self-doubt and opened up Malaysia's rotten political system to a degree of reassessment and possible reform. His multiracial formulation of ketuanan rakyat remains a high point of the past few years' political rhetoric. There are very few men and women of his brilliance in Malaysian public life and his continued presence will ensure that the Barisan government will have to reform. If, for any reason he should be taken out of the equation, there would be no pressing need to carry on with the desperately needed changes: Umno will remain mired in money politics and destructive ethno-centric ideas; the security apparatus and judicial system will languish; the administration will be inefficient, unresponsive and sluggish; and improved civil liberties will remain a distant mirage. Nonetheless, his wrongheaded quest to be Malaysian premier doesn't help in achieving any of the above. Indeed, his assertions that there will be parliamentary crossovers by Sept 16 are planned to stoke the political temperature while also distracting him from the real task of coalition-building. Still, his return to the centre stage has led to an unprecedented reconfiguration of power - a shift that has forced the Malaysian elite to address glaring weaknesses in governance and politics. Whatever happens with the Saiful Bukhari scandal and the crossovers, without Mr Anwar's energy and continuous political legwork, there would be no Pakatan, no opposition pact and, therefore, no dramatic victories along the west coast of the peninsula. Only he could have hammered out some measure of trust and cooperation between forces as disparate as Datuk Seri Hadi Awang, Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat, Mr Lim Kit Siang and Mr Karpal Singh. Love him or loathe him, he prompted and then benefited from the tectonic activity that resulted in the March 8 tsunami. No one had thought that it was possible. This Herculean achievement may be his enduring legacy, even if the grouping is still fragile and prone to fragmentation. He admitted to 'minor rumblings on the ground', but I'm afraid my conversations with Pakatan figures indicate a serious lack of cross-party communication. It may sound strange to be talking about Mr Anwar's 'enduring legacy' when he himself - at least according to our meeting - is fully planning to secure the premiership by mid-September. But the Pakatan, with its fraying internal linkages, may be unsustainable as long as he remains distracted by his quest to seize power. I think he has lost the plot, unduly eager to occupy the top spot before it is too late. He insisted that he would be friendlier to Malaysia's neighbours if he succeeded: 'I don't have Singapore phobia - I give them credit where it's due unlike a lot of other Malay leaders. We should exploit the trade and investment synergy.' But that won't come to pass unless he focuses his energies on building the coalition and strengthening the bonds between the three parties. The limited interaction between the Democratic Action Party and Parti Islam SeMalaysia is a particular concern. Only he can bridge the gap between the predominantly ethnic Chinese socialists and the Islamists. If he can't be bothered, the net result will be failure. It is as if the former deputy prime minister and global thought-leader can't bring himself to discuss, negotiate and then hammer out solutions to issues in Ipoh, Alor Star, Shah Alam, Kota Baru and Georgetown. Is politics in small-town Malaysia beneath him? The egoism of the man, while understandable, is also disturbing. Malaysians voted for Pakatan for a better and more responsive form of government, especially at the state level. While the people are tired of Barisan's high-handedness and corruption, they definitely don't want instability and political tightrope-walking on a daily basis. Mr Anwar is in danger of forgetting that the mandate he received from the Malaysian people is 'qualified'. They entrusted him to help lead five states and to build a genuine and workable consensus within Pakatan. This was supposed to lead, in turn, to an administration that was fairer, less corrupt and more attuned to the needs of all Malaysians. For now, he has not been given the mandate to occupy the premiership. However, if he does a good job over the next few years, maybe Malaysians may make him prime minister.

What UMNO is doing is the same principle as in

Yang taiqiquan - "Fair lady looks at Mirror"
Chen taiqiquan - "Fair lady play the shuttle".

Meaning: Dsitract the eyes fromt eh concealed blow.

Teh tactics is to distratc the "eyes of teh Public" and "conceal the blow to come" at Anwar.

Can Anwar does a "Deng Xiao Ping" and bounces back like Deng, after TWO serious political downfalls initiated by Mao Tse Tung?

_________________
The Law of The Kingdom is the Law

Whatever Lai CF may name it - distraction or blow, it is all within the same gameplan to get rid of Anwar. Let us not try to worsen the brewing unrest and make hearts flutter. The objective of the mastermind is clear whatever methods they deploy. Mahathir's cronies who have enormous self interests at stake, would most certainly want to ensure Anwar would not pick himself up again. Anwar is already 61. How many more years and lives could he afford to pit against the UMNO elite closing ranks against a formidable enemy.

What is the basis of your postulation that Anwar could be guilty of sodomy? Anything could be possible, but is it probable? Why would Anwar risk all that he has painstakingly cobbled to regain his former stature?
Saiful looks every inch a mole.

In China, purged leaders could be rehabilitated. Deng Xiaoping had supporters in the party and bid his time to make a comeback. Anwar is no longer and won't be UMNO leader. His route to PM has to be launched as leader of the opposition.

The country is already in shambles and rotting by the day. The future looks bleak unless a neutral authority that is above the fray of politicking could intercede and arbitrate fairly.
It's not a question of whether but how soon Bolehland will go to the dogs.

Following up on Hot Chilly's query on whether Anwar has lost the plot, Malaysiakini sums up the current chaotic situation :

The Epic of Three Men

There is a leadership vacuum in Malaysia.

Abdullah can't make himself appear strong and popular, Najib can't shake his ghosts, and Anwar hasn't yet pulled the rabbit out of his hat.