The Associated Press | September 14, 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: Less than a year ago, Malaysians would have sniggered at any suggestion that former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, crushed by a sodomy charge in 1998, could make a political comeback.
Today, nobody laughs when Anwar claims he will become prime minister. He appears to be firmly on track to attract enough defectors from the ruling coalition ranks to secure a parliamentary majority and form Malaysia’s first opposition-led government since independence in 1957.
Most analysts believe Anwar can pull it off, if not by his self-imposed deadline of Tuesday, then sometime next month.
It would mark another remarkable turnaround for a man once considered a star of Asian politics, only to be toppled 10 years ago and imprisoned on a conviction of having sex with a man, a crime in Malaysia.
The conviction was overturned in 2004 but he now faces another sodomy charge. Anwar has strongly denied both cases, claiming they were intended to kill his political rise.
The ruling coalition has been weakened by dissent against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and Anwar is capitalizing on that disarray. Abdullah lost much of his clout after presiding over the government’s worst ever election results in March, plunging one of Southeast Asia’s most stable countries into political turmoil.
Abdullah faced renewed public anger on Friday after his government arrested an opposition lawmaker, a journalist and an anti-government blogger under a law that allows indefinite detention without trial. Tan Hoon Cheng, a reporter for the Chinese-language newspaper Sin Chew, was released Saturday after being questioned by police.
Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said the arrests were necessary to prevent racial conflict, but Anwar said they were meant to “engineer an atmosphere of fear and instability.”
Anwar needs 30 defections for his People’s Alliance to form the next government.
“His chances have increased by 100 percent,” said James Chin, a political science professor at the Monash University in Malaysia’s largest city, Kuala Lumpur. “Getting 30 to me is not a problem. I don’t doubt they will jump if the conditions and benefits are the right amount.”
Still, there are serious doubts as to whether Anwar can hold together his three-party coalition of leftists, Islamists and liberal freethinkers, or fulfill his sweeping promises including dismantling a controversial affirmative action program that favors the ethnic Malay majority in jobs, education, housing, business and a host of other areas.
Many Malays see the program as their birthright. Most ethnic Chinese and Indians see it as state-engineered discrimination.
The Malay-dominated National Front has ruled Malaysia — often hailed as a moderate Islamic nation — continuously for more than 50 years. The coalition has maintained its legitimacy by claiming it alone can share out the nation’s resources in a way that satisfies all ethnic groups.
That myth was shattered in the March 8 general election when Anwar stitched together his unlikely coalition on a platform of equality for all races. Together they won 82 seats in the 222-member Parliament, up from 19, as well as control of five of Malaysia’s 13 states.
If 61-year-old Anwar forms the next government, it would amount to a political earthquake.
He says he will restructure the affirmative action program to focus on the needy, regardless of race; free the judiciary and the media from government interference; and guarantee religious freedom and civil liberties.
“It is not very difficult to be a better government, to control corruption, to be more just. That is quite easy. The more challenging task is to change the course of the economy,” he said in a recent interview.
A major shift promised by Anwar would be a change in the way the government awards public contracts. At present the contracts can only go to Malay-owned companies, but even there the decisions are made arbitrarily.
This has been an obstacle to a free trade agreement with the U.S., which wants the contract process to be transparent and open to foreigners.
But Anwar has set his sights very high, and some foresee not reform but instability. The political outlook has rattled investor confidence, weakening Malaysia’s currency and stock markets.
Still, his promises strike a chord not just with Chinese and Indians but with Malays who feel the benefits of affirmative action have gone only to a well-connected elite.
The system was devised soon after Malaysia suffered spasms of racial violence in 1969 and was intended to keep the peace by making all ethnic groups dependent on government patronage.
But analyst Chin said Anwar would temper any resentment among his fellow Malays by giving them dominance in government.
“There may be isolated protests but it won’t turn into a full-scale uprising by Malays,” he said. “Anwar knows the game well.”
Fascinating analysis by political scientist, Professor James Chin of Monash University in Kuala Lumpur. I kinda agree with him and share his POV. However, the ‘aftermath’ of Prof. Chin’s scenario is what Pakatan Rakyat should brace for. I mean, even if DSAI were to prove true his ‘916′ hypothesis i.e. tomorrow, the biggest obstacle and unimaginable backlash could definitely be whipped up by die-hard Barisan Nasional leaders and supporters/followers!
So it will be reverse roles all over again with UMNO-led BN in PKR-led PR position and vice versa. Does DSAI know the (political) game well enough? Enough to topple the current Pak Lah’s administration, maybe, but not good enough to unite the Malaysian people as one firm entity. Unless, DSAI could come up with an “Agung-involved” process of Monarchical engagement to appease the stubbornly-strong “Ketuanan Melayu” ideologists within the Malay community at large. Having said that, Pakatan Rakyat have to consider ‘educating’ and ‘re-assimilating’ all Malay members of Barisan Nasional to re-adapt and align themselves with a completely different new set of rules, for better or for worse (minus ISA?!). Vision 2020 - where art thou?!
pendukungreformasi Reply:
September 15th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Hello saudara,
You dont underestimate DSAI capabilities. You think UMNO the only saviour for Msia. They are so many well educated regardless Malay,Chinese and Indians or even Iban or Dayak can help DSAI for a better Msia. Look at MAS’s CEO, he is not Malay but he can turn around MAS. The problem Pak Lah he always fall asleep and is continuing Mahathir’s BN corrupted and power abuse system which is no longer valid in the era of transperency,integrity and good governance. DSAI’s is well known in overseas either in Western or Eastern world but only some Malays like you are blind for not recongnizing DSAI capabilities because propaganda and allegations made by UMNO/BN played by their controlled media. So people like you are tend to believe without using your brain given by Allah and common sense.
Malaysia is rich country with full all natural resources like oil, palm oil, logs unlike Spore which has to import water from Msia but they are more wealthy and successful compared to Msia. Their GDP is 5 times higher than Msia but what do they have compared to me. If you open your eyes, eyes and use your intelligent brain Msia is not a difficult country to administer or govern but just need honest, just and sincere leader like DSAI.
My advise to you open your mind, then you will find out DSAI is a great leader.
OmegaMan Reply:
September 15th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Fascinating analysis on your part, Salman, but one thing is for sure, DSAI has gone against all odds time and time again and I believe he will pull out his last trump card for this take-over. As we have seen, our King had shown his displeasure when his Terengganu state was deprived of its oil revenue and I think he will acquiesce to this take-over so long as Bumiputras rights and privileges are protected. Being a non-Malay I have no quarrel to all those mentioned as DSAI has reiterated numerous times on the issues. But all we ask is that the Chinese, Indians and others must be treated equally as citizens of this lovely country and not set aside as if we are second class citizens. Itu saja.
PEOPLE ARE READY , PAKATAN IS ALSO READY , IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME… WE MUST BE PATIENCE …WE HAVE WON MANY BATTLES… THIS IS A WAR, WE SHALL SUCCESSED
1. Anwar Ibrahim has been described as a hypocrite with relation to the ISA.
- Regardless of whether those claims are true or false, Datuk Anwar, “if they are true” do something that Barisan Nasional will NEVER do… provide a thoughful explanation enshrined in the truth…. Politicians have no idea what the power of the “Truth” really has on public perception.
The truth always gives credibility.. excuses, bogus claims and going into hiding only picks the scabs of once open wounds….
2. Who created the spark that caused the racial fire? Where is he now? Where is this cowards’ accountability? And once again we see the government using rotten band aids (ISA) on rotten wounds (Racial Slurrs) caused by the daggers of rotten ministers….
3. I support the legal minister. When is he crossing over to PKR? Its about time someone with courage put his career on the line to speak about THE TRUTH!!!
4. Malaysians… remember this, preferential treatment to the Malay race, and excluding other races from these “special” opportunities will only divide malaysia… In order for Chinese and Indians (the minorities ) to share wealth and prosperity, the Malay government must show leadership in instigating the first move… by supporting all races equally on a needs basis.
also anak malaysia Reply:
September 15th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Breaking new
Gate Billy, an American billionaire, while holidaying in KL was arrested under ISA as his life was threaten. He spent a night in lock-up and thanked the home minister for protecting his life.
Datuk Anwar i pray .PAKATAN RAKYAT can take over the country and can deliver . That will my birthday gift which fall on 16TH sept.
Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, the de facto Law Minister, had handed in his resignation to the Prime Minister. So, what are the other Ministers and BN MPs waiting for? No amount of speeches will do now; NOW is the time for ACTION. No use making a lot of noise so as to garner support from Party members. UMNO and MCA are having their elections. RESIGN as Ministers, if you strongly believe that the ISA is abused for selfish reasons! No use talking about what you will do AFTER the election! DO IT NOW; and show that you mean BUSINESS; and not business as usual, AFTER the election. Members are fed up with trickery; you do not mean what you say. You may shout; nobody will be believe you.
As a Minister, do what Datuk Zaid has done! RESIGN, period!!! If you are thinking of your rice-bowl, then forget it! You have shown your true colours. You have NO GUTS; and all the noise you make is for your Party members’ consumption, nothing more!
As a MEMBER of your Party, RESIGN! Why wait ? Show your GUTS!
As a MP, LEAVE BN; and either join PR or remain neutral! NOW is the time to show on which you are on the issue of ISA detention! Again, Datuk Zaid has shown the way !
S.H. Huang
Dear En. Anwar and Peoples’ Alliance, please save us from this increasing brutal fascism under UMNO/BN rule! We the rakyat, women, girls and non-Islamic ethnic groups are fed up and feel do sick to the core of our heart and soul, with this sociopath criminal government! PLEASE BRING JUSTICE BACK TO THIS SORRY NATION-STATE!
Noor Aza Othman
Women for Justice Support Group Project,
Malaysia.
womenforjustice@mail.org
Said he will come back again to stay in the 5-stars International Safety Aircon hotel.
Sudahlahhhhhhh
Dulu Mufti Perlis tu ckp sumpah Saiful diliwat anwar SAH, korang kutuk2 tu la ni la
La ni Mufti Perlis tu ckp ISA ni tak elok, korang angkat abih
PUTAQ ALAM PKR/PR neh
Muakk lah
Muaakkk
Sampahhh
……” DSAI dajal akhir zaman…semoga Allah melindungi rakyat Malaysia dari fitnah ini…”
There is a beautiful song By Ronan Keating with the title of ‘If Tomorrow never come’. If I may suggest everyone will play this number listen to the beautiful lyrics until tomorrow morning. Real good and feel good ba…… you will definitely loves this song.
Berita Mutakhir/Non-related Update - 15 Sept 2008, >8:30pm
~Masa aku dok cari tempat letak kreta di kawasan dekat Katedral Roh Kudus kat Pulau Pinang malam tadi, bertujuan menyertai Santa Misa yang dianjurkan untuk keadilan dan keamanan di negara kito ini dsb, ternampak 6 atau 7 orang polis naik motor tiba kat katedral itu.
Ini bukanlah untuk menimbulkan rasa cemas kat orang ramai tanpa sebab, tapi, diharapkan semua akan mengetahui kehadiran pihak berkuasa kito tu, yang kurang berprofesional ataupun berhemah kebelakangan ini, kat tempat itu dalam masa ini, biar betul ataupun tidak, takut-takut sesuatu yang tak diingini akan berlaku.
Lebih itu, nampaknya talian internet Malaysia ini amat lambatlah hari ini sehingga ia kelihatan amat palsu jika dibandingkan dengan kadar sambungan yang disiarkan. Sekian.
~As I was looking for parking space in the vicinity of Holy Spirit Cathedral - Penang, to attend Holy Mass to pray for justice and peace et al, I saw some 6 policemen or so on motorcycles arriving at the cathedral.
This is not to alarm everyone unnecessarily, but, in hope that people are made aware of the presence of our, sadly, not-so-impeccable or professional enforcement authorities of late, whether rightly or wrongly, at this venue on such time, in case any untoward incident were to happen.
By the way, our Malaysian Internet connection is considerably slow today to the extent that it is quite artificial in effect when compared with the published connection rate.
The greatest irony Malaysians have been facing all this while is that we have a choice about everything except changing the government. The fact is we have never had an alternative to compare with and until we do, we will always wonder what might have been.
It’s time to take that leap.
For the country to go chaotic, it needs either one to misbehave, the opposition or the ruling party. The rakyat will only be caught in between due to apparent taking sides based on the sentiment and/or perception created by either of them and worse still, even those not taking sides will not be spared of the consequences directly or indirectly arising out of the conflict in the so call ’striving to achieve a better country for everyone’.
The opposition has managed to create and build new hopes for the people. These hopes can never surface or be built had there been no apparent failures, frustrations, visible misappropriation, felt deprivation etc thus far. The degree of cohesiveness among the opposition pact and the state of disarray of the ruling coalition only adds to propensity to change by the people.
History teaches us that there were countries that came out stronger from such conflict and there were those who suffered miserably.
Either way will depend very much the leaders fronting both pacts…..and followed by the maturity of the people.
If both parties are sincere to the nation, both will realise that they have their role to play and contribute regardless which side they stand and at which time. Its nice to think that we will not have an arrogant winner and/or sore loser……and nicer to think that regardless who head us eventually, the rakyat will be the winners. In the meantime we pray that everyone are sincere and act in utmost good faith and end this period of uncertainty sooner peacefully.