Epic Play: The Keadilan -- JUSTICE -- Option

This is the first part of my thesis on why Anwar is the only viable option on the people's plate.
The Barisan Nasional will serve the Rakyat more of the same -- only the degree of corruption will decline under Pak Lah, theoretically if his moves to clean up are fruitful. Let's him have another 2 years to prove himself -- WALKING THE TALK!

I had bemoaned the role of DAP, and Islamist PAS, as opposition leaders; they can't deliver nationwide. And they will never go to bed together, not after DAP's disastrous showing at the 1999 polls, with PAS emerging much strengthened, just for a term capturing Terengganu, very much due to the deposed as DPM ANWAR AFCTOR.

So what's the option left?


PARTI KEADILAN RAKYAT

For reformation and change.
To replace the present Status Quo.

Let me take you back to tumultuous times in Malaysia's history which led to the budding of a new party resembling some real efforts among the masses crying for "reforms". Maybe the Filipino victory that saw Corazon Aquino sweeping to power with People's Power did bring some winds of change to Malaysain shores then.
A Deputy Prime Ministry was recently dismissed on alleged charges of being unfit morally for the next high ofice -- Prime Minister, and the then PM made his decision only after a few months earlier saying he and his deputy were "getting on fine". He even asked the media "Do you want me to hug and kiss him in public?" -- words to this efect -- in order for the press to dismiss the rumours of their "enstrangement".

I wrote an entry dated Sept 19, 2005 entitled: "Five years ago, Today"

Relevant Exerpts with some editing follow:

"Be true to your work, your word, and your friend." -- Henry David THOREAU


"Time is first a neutraliser, then an eraser, and for most Malaysians, memory fades rather quickly. Desiderata likes to treasure the Nuggets in writing as From Moment to Moment, as "momentous" means something or event of import or impact that registers in our consciousness that much longer compared with the ordinary events -- normally mundane and inconsequential.

Five years ago today I wrote a two-part article of which I am very proud. A writer in his professional output will always look back and stand tall on certain works he has had crafted. Today on Sept 19, 2005, I reprise a NUGGET to share with those not in the kNOw, and for those who have read it before, it's a re-visit which Desi feels is worthwhile, because it is about Malaysia's important crossroads.

It was significant because I believe the nation took a quantum leap into maturing as a democracy, the main Players pursuing political agendas, yet with others pursuing their dreams, main and bit parts players, like in a Shakespearean Play, caught in the current that swept them along, some as passersby, and some as victims Desi would categorise as The Unsung Heroes. The Bard had likened the world as a stage, and all the people are the actors (actresses are contained within the 'actors':)

I just pray my EsteemedReaders won't choose to remain as mere spectators. Cos Malaysia belongs equally to everyone of US -- which includes You and Me. We have equal stakes in the present, and the future, in this land called MALAYSIA -- NegaraKu.


Summary of a review of:

Face Off, the book by Sabri Zain chronicling the Reformasi, truly traumatic times for a young nation of 43 years.. I couldn't help but recall a film I had seen "The Year of Living Dangerously", in which the protagonist was also a newsman.

Sabri's chronicles benefit from his journalism background as most of his paintings and narratives were objective enough, though the choice of words, emotive and descriptive ones, clearly reflects the bent of his loyalties to the burning issue of the day: the reformation movement spawned by former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

For those who missed the "action" where it happened, centred mainly around Dataran Merdeka (Independence Square) and its vicinity starting in September two years ago, Sabri brings the readers to the arena where the episodes of Malaysian history were played out. The writer's baptism that led him to cross Anwar's path - that Abim kid, his term of endearment - was that moment in 1974 where it started with a
demostration exactly 26 years ago - led by that "Abim kid" highlighting peasants' plight in Tasek Utara, Johor.

For whom the bell tolls

Key figures revolved around Anwar and his family and, of course, the puppet master or script writer or political conductor himself, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in person, or via his proxies, and the band of Malaysians that visiting American vice-president Al Gore proudly described as "brave Malaysians". Most importantly, the less heralded players, nameless yet exalted, faceless and unobtrusive yet endearing and enduring, are the ordinary Malaysians whom Sabri observed and recorded their "involvement". These bit players cared, and stood up to be counted. To me, the diarist has done them justice by his anecdotes of the true Malaysians ... the sum total of their contributions will form the substance of the reformasi, not just the rhetoric of politicians, though their roles should not be under-estimated.

In "Shopping For Justice" (Oct 10, 1998), Sabri notes:

* "Despite the attacks on demonstrators in the weeks before, despite the warnings almost every day this week that the authorities would crack down on any form of demonstration, despite the fear, despite the
threats, despite the solemn pronouncements by the powers-that-be that the Reformasi ... movement is dead - tens of thousands of Malaysians came out today - defiant and free."

The Birth of ADIL (Justice)

In the chapter titled "The Eye Of Justice" (April 4, 1999), Sabri records the graduation of social justice movement ADIL into a full fledged political party - Parti Keadilan Nasional or the National Justice Party, at the Grand Ballroom of the Hotel Renaissance, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur ... the party's mission is crystal clear: to uphold truth and justice.
* "Everywhere (at the hotel) - on the walls, on tables, on posters, even along the staircase banisters - the blue-and-white "eye" of the Keadilan logo stared out at you.
Then came the moment everyone waited for. The whole room rose to its feet in wild cheers as Dr Wan Azizah walked to the podium to deliver her first-ever speech as the leader of a political party.

‘We're gathered here to fulfil a demand from the people - they are demanding justice. We are here to fulfil the demand of the Malaysian race - bangsa Malaysia. They are demanding the dignity of their race. And we are fulfilling the demands of our changing times - the time has arrived.

‘Ten years of rapid development has given us confidence. But for some, that confidence has turned to arrogance. Our economy was driven by ego and the desire to show off. Crony capitalism dominated the New Economic Policy. Corruption, cronyism and nepotism grew like an cancer. Massive mega-projects eroded our economic fundamentals and shook the stability of our banking system. The lust - nafsu - for mega-projects left our defences weak. Because of these weaknesses, the currency speculators attacked.'

She explained the party logo, which consists of a white sphere on a sky blue background, representing a pure cause, and a smaller blue sphere on the white, representing justice for all. "At first sight, you might think it looks like an eye. There are reasons for that.

‘Firstly, I am an ophthalmologist!' she quipped, to peals of laughter and applause from the crowd. ‘Secondly, it's to remind us of the infamous black eye,' she added, more seriously.

‘But it also has a deeper meaning,' Dr Wan Azizah continued. ‘It is our mata hati - our inner eye that helps us distinguish between what is right and what is wrong. It is a symbol of our quest for truth and our struggle for justice. It is the ‘eye' that seeks justice.'"



(ends extracts:)~~


The rest, as they say, is HISTORY.
A DPM Anwar almost punched to a pulp while under detention, by none less than the chief police officer in the land.

Two lengthy court trails which many had said resembled OZ, oops,not Aussie, but "kangaroo" courts.

I think the unfolding saga on the PWTC Stage now going on will come full circle with the central figure -- retired former PM DR Mahathir, engaged in another Confronttion with the Deputy he had sacked, imprisoned, now released just serving out a five-year time "bar" from politics. But this time Anwar will have the implicit support of the current Prime Minister, and he will not face Mahathir in person, but Mahathir's proxy, the current DPM, Najib Tun Razak. But a direct confrontation between Mahathir and Anwar awaits at the Court, and this time around I'm sure the "defamation" suit would be before a Paul or a Jaka.

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Anwar on sabbatical, but...

Though Anwar was holding visiting Fellowships at British and American universities the past two years, he had ocasionally returned, and Anwar has been going around the States delivering political speeches. (Desi attended a rally in Port Dickson plus another function at a club in Ulu Kelang.) The PKR adviser was mainly urging the party members to organise themselves, spread the party's ideology on the platform of Justice, Democratic and Open Governance, Accountability, and yes, Fighting Corruption. What impresses Desi most is his call to do away with THE NEW ECONOMIC POLICY, which has bred much Cronysm, Nepotism and daylight robbery OF THE COUNTRY'S RESOURCES, as summarily narrated by Wan Azizah in her maiden political speech.

ALL THESE WERE/ARE HAPPENING WHILE ANWAR IS SERVING A TIME-BAR OF FIVE YEARS FROM POLITICS. A "Time-bar" under Mahathir would have seen Anwar thrown behind bars yet again -- for indeed Anwar was not "exactly" put on time-out under Pak Lah, and that's another primary reason for Mahathir's anger towards Pak Lah. So I have cited two main reasons. The earlier one -- more significannt -- was Anwar's release from prison after a successful final appeal against the alleged "sodomy" charges. And this would never have happened if Mahathir was still around as CEO, my humble reading, though you can beg to differ! okay!

What could be other foreseeable reasons on the horizon leading to the FACE-OFF?

That a "repreive" could be given to Sdr Anwar -- no, DATUK SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM.

It's an anachronism that a "convicted" person still maintains his Royal title. I know of one other person in a similar situation, also once an aspiring MCA politician; served time for CBT? in prison, but still keeps his Royal title of Datuk. Poor ex-boss ex-MCA President never had any such prefix in front of his Presidential name, but that's another story. Another night, for such stories can only be whispered in the dark. But it demonstrates the "humanity" in Pak Lah that endears him to the Rakyat, also earning him the diminishing-in-value "Mr Nice Guy" moniker.

Pointers to the common ground between Anwar and Pak Lah

Back to the Chinese Datuk; his saving grace was "helping out" Pak Lah when the latter was in political wilderness, and UMNO princes and princesses wouldn't like to be seen in his company. (Most of them were not far-sighted to know Pak Lah would go on to become PM; otherwise, they would have sent lorry of durians to...Ah, I digress.)

But do you know Pak Lah was driven to selling off his only house during his "low period" in political wilderness?
Yes, a VVIP driven to such financial straits, which only those who have tasted well-nigh bankruptsy -- like the late Tun Ghafar Baba -- could empathise with. It shows that Pak Lah was indeed a "decent" fellow, clean like an angel amongst those crocodiles and sharks, what do you call them, ....putras?

Like can I suggest that Anwar Ibrahim might just be about to face a similar fate -- forced to sell off his "humble" home in Damansara Heights? For a former DPM, Desi thinks many corporates living in that neighbourhood are at several rungs higher living in luxury than Anwar -- so can you beleive all those rumours about him having acquired millions during his time in Cabinet?

Come on, put on your thinking caps. Have an open mind. Use your unique brain that God has given everyone of us. I am directing this at many sceoptics who would not give Sdr Anwar a "chance" to prove himself -- on the ground he had been "part and parcel" of the UMNOP regime under Mahathir.

I re-state here an important eye-opener -- former MAS boss Tajudin Ramli in court papers recently had already given some vivid paintings about the former regime's shenanigans -- telling the nation he was forced to borrow RM1.8billion to but control of the national carrier as a form of national service. He claimed that the PM offered him a money-back guarantee in the form of an "Over-riding Agreement". THe information was revealed when he counter-sued the Government and Danaharta for some RM13.6billion when Danaharta sued him earlier for some RM589million.

Obviously in the current FACE-OFF, Pak Lah had no choice but resort to court proceedings to uncover the Pandora's boxes, ONE BY ONE. No need to repeat the cases here, okay, oytherwise, you would be reading half a book which UPM has not CONmissioned Desi to write, nyet. (A little DDC okay, Mave SM, Helen of Troy?)


And most importrant of all, the highest appeal court in the land had absolved Anwar of his earlier conviction of what he consistently had claimed to be the "trumped up" sodomy charges (he alleged by Mahathir "to kill him off politically"). This was the greatest "injustice" done to a fellow Malaysian that roused the rage of many right-thinking Malaysians. That's such a thing called Honour among thieves, and here Politikus claiming they serve national intetrests behaving below the levelf of vermins. WITHOUT CONSCIENCE.

I would surmise this was the primary reason why Mahathir started to find fault with Pak Lah -- for Anwar on the return to politics would be a "most dangerous" ex-PM, compared with Musa Hitam, the late Ghaffar Baba before Anwar met his "Waterloo". And at the young age of 59, Anwar at an age just one or two years older than his once-Mentor Mahathir started his premiership.


What Goes Around Comes Around


I recall Parti Keadilan Rakyat or its supporters had petitioned the Rulers for a "royal pardon" for Anwar, for his conviction on corruption charges (purportedly interfering with the police force who were investigating him on the sodomy/corruption charges.

But Anwar still maintains his royal title "Datuk Seri" -- which means Pak Lah and the majority of the royal houses are sympathetic to his cause. Yes?
Just as Pak Lah is sympathetic to a "Friend in need is a friend in deed", Yes?

So an important forthcoming surprise could be a National Day's announcement of a "Royal Pardon", is my educated guess, to enable Anwar to come out officially to lead PKR. The wife, being an MP, will still have an important role to play, especially now that "women power" is of great potential. Remember university entrance statitics recently announced show that FEMALE students number 60% upwards, and if only 25% of these "better informed and more liberated" undergrads could be harnessed -- See my point about Sabrina, Kyels and THeels, and bloggers like Anak Merdeka and Primrose, et al, being actively canvassed by Desi to show some poltical activism?

Don't underestimate your individual voice and strength ~~~ remember that little ripples would energise into waves, then into a Tsunami? The good tsunami...

Okay. I'm calling a Time-out to continue this play the morrow, can? And that's a rhetorical question that this blardy Desi's infamous for:(