Hornbill Unleashed
December 22, 2011
Who to hold torch for Pakatan if Anwar jailed: will Umno be annihilated ?
Moaz Nair
January 9, 2012 will determine Anwar’s fate in the court of law. Guilty or not guilty, Anwar’s fervour and charm will keep haunting Barisan Nasional. If Anwar is convicted, the Pakatan torch – according to many political observers – will be passed on to astute Nurul Izzah, his daughter. To UMNO and BN this will be nightmarish. The sympathy for Anwar is then going to help the Opposition more and Nurul will gradually measure up to be made the political icon for Pakatan. The young generation, in particular, is bound to give unparalleled support to Nurul.
“Imprisonment of Anwar will enrage the masses, but a guilty or acquittal verdict will not yield political benefits for BN. If the strategy is to remove him it is not a wise idea. This will incur the wrath of the people.” said a fence sitter in Penang.
Either way, it will not be pleasant for Najib. UMNO stalwarts and their soul mates in BN will not be happy with an acquittal verdict. Najib’s survival is somewhat beholden to them. UMNO’s fear factor for Anwar has made party stalwarts zoom on the latter like a hawk to end his political career, as they are aware that Pakatan under the headship of Anwar is capable of denying them power in the next general election. Be that as it may, in the people’s court of opinion the Sodomy II trial has already boomeranged on UMNO.
Will haunt Barisan Nasional
The political jousting leading to the next general election is going to be more interesting with or without Anwar around. The Opposition’s offensive against politicians in the ruling coalition relating to many issues such as the recent ‘beef valley’ scandal, the mystery surrounding Altantuya’s death, the loss of her immigration records, Bala and his SDs, expensive wife, commission and corruption, selective prosecution, high crime rates, racial and religious bigotry, the sliding economy, lack of accountability of taxpayers’ money and many other social and economic milieus in country are not going to ebb. They would only spiral more. The judiciary has been perceived to have lost the confidence and trust of the people. Until today, over 95 percent of Malaysians believe that this whole sordid sodomy episode is merely a plot to harm Anwar. All these symptoms will haunt UMNO-BN and impedes its chance of retaining power.
”The verdict of Anwar’s sex trial, scheduled for January 9, would indicate the transparency of the country’s judiciary,” said a university law lecturer.
Be it as it may, Anwar’s legacy will remain in the heart of Malaysians as a charismatic leader who single-handedly helped establish a two-party system for the country. This had been successful after almost 51 years’ of power monopoly by UMNO-dominated coalition when the Opposition won an unprecedented number of seats in the 2008 general election. The people are now cognizant of the fact that a long ruling party or government is not congenial for a nation as it breeds corruption and arrogance. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The voters are now clamouring for a change. A splintered opposition of DAP, PAS and PKR who many thought would fade away like the morning dew and perceived by their archenemies as insignificant political entities in the country, astoundingly came up to form a formidable group due to Anwar’s ingenuity.
“There were no doubt some minor hiccups leading to the climax of this historical event though but soon after, the dust began to settle and seemingly the parties closed ranks,” said a PAS lawmaker from Kedah.
Maverick Anwar Ibrahim has helped the country by neutralising PAS and DAP. Today many Malays are able to accept DAP and also many non-Malays are able to accept PAS. It is Anwar’s captivating personality and magic that have brought these two parties to work together.
“This is an achievement indeed and it bodes well for the country. We hope that the people of Malaysia are able to live in peace with a lot more understanding and tolerance for each other. We should see to it that each race is willing to help another race to strive in the country,” said a DAP lawmaker from Penang.
More popular than Najib
The Pakatan Pact and Anwar were unscathed after saling on many choppy political waves but emerged more appealing and stronger than before after the 2008 general election. This relatively young multi-racial political party has since its existence been unremittingly goaded on by Anwar. In 2008 general election the Pakatan Pact captured five states and some political observers predict that the Pakatan coalition could form the next federal government with a simple majority.
Whether the philosophy of PKR, DAP and PAS is truly democratic and founded on universal justice remains to be seen, but their gaining strength is vital for the country’s democratisation process. They have, however, proven to the people what good governance is in the states they had won in the 2008 general election. This itself is testimony to Pakatan’s credentials.
Irrefutably, Anwar’s allure as a political leader has made a great impact on the Malaysian political landscape. The masses have acknowledged him as an accomplished leader. Anwar is without doubt more popular than Najib in the international scene.
Anwar, on the whole, can be considered a ‘freak’ with astuteness and political skills not many politicians are able to match. He has emerged more popular than ever after he was dismissed as the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1998 by the Grand Old Man of Malaysia. Despite all the political bashing and the disparaging remarks made thereafter against him by his enemies, news media doing the required blitzkrieg for the BN and the pro-government blogs, he has surfaced much bolder and sturdier.
UMNO has been decaying as a party
The strategy to remove Anwar from the political scene has not been a wise one. In fact, no amount of character assassination and insinuations will bring down a seasoned politician like Anwar. Even if he is jailed his spirits will linger to haunt UMNO and BN. The spirit of a captive is more dangerous that a free man. The icons Nelson Mandela and Aung San Suu Kyi are testimony to this phenomenon. They all turned out to be more popular while being detained as political prisoners.
“I’ll fight on even if I go to jail,” said Anwar to a group of reporters after his defence team closed its case.
Anwar, in particular, has been exposed to continuous character assassination by his adversaries, but ironically the more this has seemed to have fortified his fame and political trail. When he stood as a candidate in Permatang Pauh on August 28, 2008 against a BN candidate the pro-government media exhausted all their dirty tricks and avenues to shame and pin him down. Anwar was unscathed by those salvoes and won the contest hands down to be back in Parliament. Anwar just appears to have gained more sympathy and popularity despite the relentless onslaught against him after Pakatan won five states in the March 2008 general election and later as the Opposition leader in Parliament. The fear and trepidation among UMNO leaders now is the likelihood of Pakatan taking over Putrajaya in the next general election.
The threats to democracy and good governance would in fact remain if the country does not have a two-party system Pinning dirt on Anwar is not helping UMNO. Neither would witch-hunting to divert the people’s focus from the real issues at hand is going to help tear down the Opposition Pact. It would only backfire on UMNO.
UMNO has been decaying as a party. The people’s perception is endemic corruption and abuse of power have not receded in the country. It is beyond a shadow of a doubt that the people fed up with bad governance would vote for a change in the coming general election. With a more enlightened population, proven track record of states under Pakatan rule and a strong desire for change, the chances for a smooth and effective opposition takeover of Putrajaya are compelling with or without Anwar.
“ Even if Anwar is convicted and jailed, Nurul will be able to resurrect his spirit in Pakatan. Nurul will optimistically pave the way for the Opposition’s victory, as she is a leader to be reckoned with,” said a university student.
Anti-BN sentiment is high
The people’s seething anger and resentment are too strong and too conspicuous to ignore. In the people’s court of opinion the Sodomy II trial has backfired. The outcome of the trial will be difficult to reconcile – UMNO has put itself in a no-win situation with this trial. The people are perplexed as to why the court testimony and the first medical report by a doctor from Puspawari Hospital were tangential. They are baffled as to why the sperm cells were never isolated from the seminal mix and that the DNA obtained was not specific to the spermatozoa. They are mystified as to why it took an unprecedented long hours for the specimen to be sent to the chemistry department for analysis.
In the laymen’s court of opinion many aspects of the trial are just not savoury but insulting to their senses. But again this can happen in this country. A foreign citizen was murdered and her immigration department entry records were not found. The world is still wondering as to how and why this should happen when Malaysia is an Islamic state. They can never forget the event that shook the nation when it was found that pregnant Altantuya was put to rest on our soil and this gory news flashed throughout the world. They are aware that her desolated father is still seeking justice for her daughter’s death. They sense that her innocent children are still asking, ‘when will mum come home.’
Expensive wives are not favoured by Malaysian either. They will incur a lot of expenses and make homes go bankrupt. ‘Bribing’ school children and the rakyat with pittance will not make the people overcome the high cost of living. Corruption and abuse of loans are rampant and all misdeeds apparently swept under the carpet will not help save face of wrongdoers. Selfish leaders are making the country slip deeper into oppression, racial and religious bigotry. Government institutions – from the police to the judiciary – are perceptively deplored. Corruption and abuse of taxpayers’ money are not seriously tackled for fear of reprisals from party insiders.
Nurul will provide the moral spark
Thus, anti-BN sentiment is soaring. The people are venting their frustrations against the injustices of BN policies and their blasé attitude. The people are not buying the cosmetic reforms of BN. It has now come to the extent that any other party other than UMNO would be all right for the people.
“The Sodomy II verdict will not affect or derail the people’s mind from the more serious issues affecting the country,” commented a senior government servant.
But Anwar is not the solitary opposition to UMNO-BN. The enlightened Malaysians are. There will always be other Opposition leaders who can pick up the torch of dignity if Anwar is jailed to provide the much needed moral spark.
Anwar who does not have an expensive wife is not a liability to the nation’s chest. Their simple lifestyle has endeared them to the rakyat. Anwar’s spirit and fortitude will surely be riding on a huge wave of people’s anger towards BN if he goes to prison. Political observers foresee that Pakatan will turn into a stronger challenge for BN. The people will be up and about that ‘people power’ prevails.
“If Anwar is jailed, then a lot of fence sitters will vote for Pakatan Rakyat. Anwar’s wife and daughter will be turned into the knights in shining armour. They will be another Benazir,” said an UMNO leader from Jitra.
The impasse for UMNO now is Anwar in jail or free, both will cost BN votes. Hence, intimidation or devious tactics to stifle Anwar is not going to dishearten Pakatan. It is not going to end Pakatan, as the coalition has already grown into a full-bloomed political entity in the nation’s political milieu. In any case, the fate of a party cannot be decided by a single man. Anwar is not the only person in Pakatan who can depose the incumbent government. Nurul and many other party stalwarts are ready to take over with the blessing of the masses. A guilty verdict on Anwar would thus set another wave of reformasi in the ballot box. Despising Anwar non-stop has hurt the masses most. It has also severely hurt the country’s repute internationally.
“It would further tarnish Malaysia’s reputation. It will also terribly cost BN votes at the next general election.” said a political observer from a local university.
Victory to Pakatan
It’s an irrefutable fact that Anwar has an insuppressibly sanguine personality. No matter how Anwar is perceived by his friends and political foes, he is definitely not a foregone conclusion in Malaysian politics. He still has the appeal and is capable of drawing and mesmerizing huge crowds as a good orator. He still has a sizeable following in the country and is well accepted by friends and leaders abroad. If truth be told, Anwar cannot be easily erased from the local political scene.
Anwar – jailed or not – is still a well reckoned leader. Despite all the criticisms and legal tussles against this 64 year-old former deputy prime minister the people are still for him to lead them. His charisma, intelligence, patience have won the hearts of the majority of Malaysians. His appearance in any forums overseas have earned him accolades. His appearance in any local events have won the hearts of the urban and rural population. His charm is certainly an asset to the political parties allied to him.
If he goes to jail, his heir would be non other than his charismatic daughter, Nurul who has the support of the masses. In the absence of Anwar, Nurul will bring victory to Pakatan in the next general election.
“Whatever the outcome of the trial, the dye is cast – Najib’s credibility has slided. UMNO will make Anwar a martyr a second time.” jibed a veteran UMNO political observer.
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Let’s just VOTE “ABU” cometh GE13 — Yes, VOTE “ANYONE BUT UMNO”!
Comment by YL Chong*****************************************
UPDATEd @12.16PM becos Desi pampers his ER, lazy BUMmers awe:(~~
from malaysianmirror.com/BERNAMA:
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DESIDERATA: To the UMNO Youth, Wanita UMNO --or past MCA Youth who has a booster of chief also-son-of-TRansport-miniSTER who became youngest billionaire at age 27! -- what is RM10million-lah? In Chinoserie, they say: "Sap-sap-sui!"
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