By Din Merican

I arrived at the Convention Hall of Majlis Bandaran Shah Alam early this morning to witness political history in the making. It was the coming together in a formal and business-like manner of Parti KeADILan Rakyat, Democratic Action Party and PAS.

Upon completion of my registration as a blogger, I went into a special room to congratulate Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Ustaz A Fadil Hadi Awang, Lim Kit Siang, Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim who is the host of the Convention, and also PKR President, Dato Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

I spent a few minutes to talk to Dato Seri Wan Azizah about her recent trip to Los Angeles, California where she was a recipient of the Omar Ibn Al-Khatab Distinguished Pathfinders Award from the Foundation that bears the name of the Second Caliph and Companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, pbuh. This award is for global leaders who lives have been devoted to the selfless service and whose dedication, perseverance, values and commitment to excellence exemplify the best aspects of human spirit. I congratulated her on this award.

The demure yet steadfast symbol of peaceful reform was in her usual cheerful demeanour. She accepted with my compliments with grace and humility. For her, the first Pakatan Rakyat Convention is probably the culmination of her decade or so long struggle (since 1998) with the Reformasi movement which grew out of the Free Anwar Campaign that capitivated our nation.

Far from being a rather lukewarm affair–it can’t be with 1,500 audience that make up our plural society– this PR convention showed to me at least that there is hope for a viable coalition of these three ideologically different political parties to challenge the UMNO-Barisan Nasional stranglehold on our country.

Suddenly, it dawned on me that we have a strong force for constructive change, making it possible for us now to envision a two party system for the first time in our country. We as Malaysians now have a choice between a corrupt, racist, and repressive one that characterises UMNO- BN and Pakatan Rakyat which seeks to be unite the rakyat and whose policies, plans and programmes are founded on justice for all, and honest, open and transparent governance.

How is it possible that these parties can come together, sit on the same table and discuss the future of our nation when a decade ago (in 1999), it was impossible to agree on even fundamental issues? An experienced and charismatic leader Anwar Ibrahim who is endowed with boundless patience, tolerance and tact is probably a major influence. Credit must go to him.

But other factors conspire to make a meeting of “strange political bedfellows” to craft a common policy framework for the purpose of meeting the formidable challenge of UMNO-Barisan Nasional in the next elections This common framework is founded the universal values of democracy, freedom and justice. Well deserved thanks must go to the drafting team of Pakatan Rakyat for their effort in finalising the common policy framework, and making it a living document for action.

Anwar Ibrahim was the first to take the rostrum. He was at his best with his “switch with suppleness from Bahasa Malaysia to English and back, sprinkling some Mandarin and a modicum of Tamil along the way.” (Terence Netto). I have posted the text of his convention speech earlier, and I do not need to repeat its message here. His intellectualism and keen grasp of ideas are there for all to see.

Lim Guan Eng was inspired, drawing on his years of political experience. He spoke with extreme confidence as his intense eyes pierced into the audience. His use of Islamic phrases won him many friends , especially PAS members in the audience who obviously understood his message. His use of “amar maaruf nahi mungkar”(Arabic for enjoining the good and forbidding the bad) and pantun– a dig at UMNO-Barisan Nasional– brought down the house.

Ustaz Abdul Hadi was the last speaker for the morning session. He told the audience not to equate Islamic rule with inferences from UMNO’s example of it, for which he received a round of applause. This is the first time I saw in the PAS leader a man well versed in the history of Islamic civilisation, liberally quoting the great historian Ibn Khaldun, in particular the concept of mesyarakat madani (civil society). It was an impressive display of his intellectual depth and openness as he articulated his ideas with panache.

The audience was assured that PAS under the Hadi Presidency is not the “devil” that UMNO tries to depict via its massive propaganda machine. On the contrary, it is a party and a key member of Pakatan Rakyat which is willing, ready, and able to take on the task and responsibilities of governing a plural society. I was personally impressed with his delivery and breath of vision. It is no small wonder; this gentle Ustaz is surrounded by a team of Islamic intellectuals, who embody his progressivism within the Pakatan Rakyat’s common policy framework.

Pakatan Rakyat has made a important beginning. The road ahead is full of challenges and possibilities. The myth that it is falling apart after Bagan Pinang has been debunked. We can now look forward to promising future when we can trust and believe in government again. Pakatan Rakyat calls for honest, transparent and accountable government which is people centered, not one that is self serving and corrupt.