All great men make great mistakes (UPDATED with Chinese Translation)

It is sad that great men take great pains to lift themselves to great heights of power only to self-destruct because they can’t face the truth and would rather receive pleasure from the court jesters.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Napoleon did it. Hitler did it. They both fought on two fronts at the same time -- the Eastern Front and the Western Front. And both paid dearly for their folly. Hitler had to commit suicide in his bunker while Napoleon died from arsenic poisoning while sleeping in his bunk.

And is Anwar Ibrahim about to embark on the same tragic journey of all these great men, amongst who are people like Alexander the Great -- who also pressed the self-destruct button -- by also opening up two fronts?

Anwar is not happy with my last article that said he is more valuable dead than alive. Well, I have news for Anwar. I, or Malaysia Today, am not here to please him. We are not in the business of making Anwar Ibrahim happy. We are in the business of revealing the truth that the powers-that-be would rather remain hidden and to save the country from those who would destroy it.

And there is one more ‘community service’ that we perform. And that is to make sure the people we voted into office fulfil the mandate the voters gave them and to save the leaders from themselves.

Yes, that’s right, while we try to save the country from its own leaders we also need to save the leaders from themselves. Alexander the Great failed because he thought he was infallible and, therefore, refused to take advice from anyone. When people around him criticised him he killed them off, even his closest generals and childhood friends.

So, they would tell him things he would like to hear rather than things he should hear. At least this makes the boss happy and you get to keep your head on your shoulders. Is it not in the Greek tradition to kill the messenger? This was what Claudius said when his general brought him bad news. “Thank the Gods I am not Greek,” he said. “Or else the bad news you bring me would mean your certain death.”

They also tell us to beware of Greeks bearing gifts. This saying, of course, is tied to the story of the Trojan Horse. Sometimes, the ‘gift’ may be a Red Herring meant to bring about your downfall. So, if someone brings you the ‘gift’ of good news when it should have instead been bad news, beware of this ‘Greek’.

The majority of great leaders throughout history love to surround themselves with people who can bring them glad tidings. Only a very few would keep those bearers of good news at a safe distance. It is probably a natural instinct of humankind to enjoy being told how great they are and to be showered with praise.

Anwar has enough of these court jesters surrounding him. Court jesters make a living from making fools of themselves, purely for the boss’s entertainment. I am no court jester and neither is Malaysia Today. If you do right, we keep quiet. Only when you do wrong do we open our mouths. That means our silence speaks volumes for what you are doing and no further praise is required from us. Would I be accurate in saying that no news means good news?

And today we want to bring you bad news. You are not going to get good news from us. And the bad news is Anwar is travelling down the same road as Napoleon and Hitler by fighting on two fronts. If even Napoleon and Hitler failed, what makes Anwar think he will not?

Anwar, in fact, is embarking on an even bigger folly. While Napoleon and Hitler opened two fronts -- and died because of it -- Anwar is opening three fronts. What chance of success can Anwar expect when he does not have enough resources to fight on just one front, let alone three fronts?

Anwar has to face the mighty Barisan Nasional, which in itself is a mammoth task. Sure, David slew Goliath. However, while Barisan Nasional may be a Goliath, are you a David?

Then Anwar has to face the court and get through his Sodomy 2 trial in one piece. The people in Umno are already celebrating Anwar’s incarceration even as you read this and even before the trial can start at 2.30pm today. What do they know that we do not? We should brace ourselves and prepare for the worst. We should plan on the premise that Anwar is going to jail. And if he does not then we treat that as a bonus.

And as if these two fronts are not enough, Anwar may have to fight a third front, the worst front of all -- an internal civil war.

The three Zs are soon to be called before the PKR Disciplinary Board -- Zulkilfi, Zahrain and Zaid. There are those in Anwar’s inner circle like Azmin Ali who wants Zulkifli and Zahrain pardoned but Zaid sacked.

Zaid’s ‘crime’ is to criticise the party’s handling of the Zulkifli issue. To Alexander, Napoleon and Hitler, criticism is never tolerated. And to another great man called Anwar, this also applies, at least as far as his inner circle is concerned.

Zulkilfi’s and Zahrain’s crimes are of course more serious. But then they are to be forgiven because for more than ten years they have served Anwar well -- Zulkifli as one of the lawyers in the Sodomy 1 trial and Zahrain as the PKR ‘sleeper’ in Umno Penang.

Those who serve Anwar personally can get away with murder. Those who only serve the party but not Anwar personally must die. Is this the message Anwar would like to send to the Malaysian public? How would the public perceive Anwar as opposed to Najib where the only difference between the two is the spelling of their names?

And what would happen if Zaid feels slighted and decides to leave before the party can sack him? I would do that. In fact, I have done exactly that, which resulted in the birth of Malaysia Today.

The problem Anwar would face would not be just about Zaid leaving. It would be about the Internet community, Bloggers, and civil society movements shifting their alliances and loyalty.

No doubt there are many who feel that the Internet community, Bloggers, and civil society movements are of no significance and of no threat to PKR or Pakatan Rakyat. That was exactly what Umno and Barisan Nasional said in the run-up to the 8 March 2008 general election.

Anwar’s inner circle is of the opinion that the Sodomy 2 trial is going to be an uphill battle. To yet again indict Anwar for sodomy is foolhardy unless you can be assured of a conviction. The talk amongst this inner circle is that Najib is not that stupid to start a fight that he cannot possibly end up winning.

Anwar’s inner circle is also working on the premise that if Anwar pulls through it should be treated as a bonus. The game plan must be based on the assumption that Anwar will fall. And in that case the game plan must take into consideration the succession.

Was not the beginning of the end for Rome the day when the democracy was replaced by a hereditary? The day the sons and inner circle inherited the throne was the day the Empire began to crumble. And was not the height of this decline the day the Emperor celebrated as Rome burned? Are we to celebrate the destruction of PKR even before it can come to fruition?

And this is the crux of the move to sack Zaid -- or at least to provoke him to leave. Assume Anwar will be sent to jail. Then assume a new leader must emerge. But this leader must not be Zaid. So, Zaid must be brought down before Anwar himself is brought down. And was this not also the cause of the Ezam Mohd Nor versus Azmin Ali conflict -- Cain and Abel both fighting to be the favoured son?

Azmin and William Leong would like to see Zaid removed so that the field is clear for one of the inner circle to take the baton when the cell door finally closes on Anwar. Zaid is competition and competition must be eliminated. But they are cutting the roots to get at the fruit. And there is no surer way of killing the tree than this.

Two fronts are difficult enough. With Umno and Barisan Nasional on the one front and the manipulated judicial system on the other, Anwar is going to have his hands full for the next year or two. How would he handle this third front about to emerge?

Anwar should note that those who criticise him or the party have his interest at heart while those who praise him do so for their personal gain and not for the good of the party. And would Anwar kill one and elevate the other onto a pedestal?

Great leaders throughout history have done this -- and paid for it with their lives. So, I suppose, Anwar, being also a great leader, will probably do the same.

Translated into Chinese at: http://ccliew.blogspot.com/2010/02/blog-post_4596.html

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Comments (31) Add Comment

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written by lynn, February 04, 2010 13:33:12

If Anwar is jailed, the best & most suitable candidate to take over as new leader, who is a Malay, is Zaid - it's rare to find such an ex-umno man who is principled! PR needs Zaid to lead, for no one in Keadilan is so qualified. Pakatan Rakyat really cannot afford to lose Zaid! Anwar, are you reading MT?

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written by cheekhiaw, February 03, 2010 23:44:46

Alexander, Napoleon, Hitler may be called 'great' but calling Anwar that would be greatness sodomised

-7

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written by earthman, February 03, 2010 22:09:07

Well said Mr Petra. I am afraid this is what I see among your readers. They rather praised you and your works but sometimes failed to see the point. Anything that seem not to support you or MT is viewed in a negative way. How sad, when the light is not bright enough and some cannot see clearly the points raised , but would instead go along blindly as long as Umno and BN falls. One can see that any bashing of UMNO or its leaders received the most supports. Yes BN is surely going to fall away but are we better off if the new government is just the same or just a little better than BN? Just because of one man are we going to sacrificed our future and of our children and children's children?
We want a clean and efficient government of ALL the people by ALL the people and for ALL the people. Nothing less than these would ALL the people accept. Hear this ALL you people.
That is the very reason that we are fighting against the dark power in the air ( Cyber space ) as the battle on earth in the flesh and blood is in the hands of evil and corrupted kingdoms.
Pray that the days be shorthened so the suffering would not be prolonged.

Vote out UMNO,

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written by zeus, February 03, 2010 19:18:17

Like umno, perhaps, Anwar is used to 'giving' orders and not able to take criticisms. Working as a team is not umno's strength and Anwar has been in umno for too long to discard the bad habits. This is something he seriously needs to think about. Bringing the other two opposition parties to deny bn a 2/3 majority was a good tactitical ploy. Working as a team has to go beyond that now which Anwar has not been very successful.

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written by zeus, February 03, 2010 19:12:18

lohlomei, i totally concur with your view. I believe Zaid would do a lot better for himself and for the alliance if he was with DAP. Well, if he truly believes in fighting for the people, he should be able to make the right decision. I never believed Anware has the capability to lead the country, but you are right, he would make a very good senior statesman.

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written by jayenjr, February 03, 2010 19:08:41

Sorry, I meant "Zulkifli["/b] in my opening paragraph as follows:-

Keep Zulkifli, or give him a slap on the wrist, and for sure PKR will not get my vote.

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written by jayenjr, February 03, 2010 19:06:42

I kinda have made it clear to my PKR MP.

Keep Zaid, or give him a slap on the wrist, and for sure PKR will not get my vote. If Zaid leaves on top of that, then that just about seals PKR off for me.

Others will rise. If some of PKR individuals play up their internal politics, they would do wise to remember that the voting crowd is very intolerant these days of shenanigans and political clowns.

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written by NanoNano, February 03, 2010 17:42:45

RPK,
Me thinks you shud leave DSAI alone for now. He's has his hands full with the crap sodomy thingy. Pakatan has Tok Aziz, LKS, Zaid, LGE to sort out its own problems.. I have confidence in them.

Who knows, maybe they will have Ku Li on their side???

-2

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written by davidquellsgoliath, February 03, 2010 17:34:43

Dear RPK
You are indeed a wise man. You put out your points succintly & to the point. Many right thinking Malaysians can't agree with you more.
Anwar should listen to your wise counsel not to charlatans in his midst.
Anwar may be blinded by these sycopants around him who tell him what he likes to listen not what he ought to really hear. These con artists just what to :syiok" him for their personal agenda!

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written by siewchinteo, February 03, 2010 14:00:15

errrr ....why compare with Napoleon or Hitler ar ?? smilies/wink.gif

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written by ibabonma, February 03, 2010 13:38:33

Who can replace Anwar and bring about the fall of Umno/BN? Zaid? Nizar? Kuli?
So while he is still around, lend your support and give him the chance to hit the tape otherwise RPK, you, me and Malaysia will rot like a poisoned rat.

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written by lohlomei, February 03, 2010 12:18:44

I have always thought Zaid joined the wrong party and he should really have joined DAP instead. There are just too many UMNO has-beens in PKR who have their own interests at heart and it seems very much an extension of UMNO but for people who tried but didn't quite make it there. I hate also to say this but whilst I agree that Anwar remains a very important rallying point for PR, he would never, in my personal opinion make a credible prime minister because he is carrying just too much baggage. He should be magnanimous enough to recognise that but still work at leading the country out of the dregs and then passing on the baton to another, the likes of Zaid or Nizar. Much better to take on the role of a senior statesman, akin to Nelson Mandela, than to fight tooth and nail for something that you cannot be very effective at only because you are spending all your time covering your "behind". And for everyone else who think they can truly and honestly contribute, they should just fall in behind as it takes more than just a charismatic leader to make an organisation/business or country work. It takes a team of dedicated people who share the same values and vision, but possess the different qualities and abilities to make that vision come true.

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written by JJFoo, February 03, 2010 11:20:56

All great men make great mistakes? Does this include Anwar, a great man? Peoples rallied behind Anwar as he was an icon for being a victim of gross injustice and abuse. Peoples look at Anwar with sympathy but more with fear for the nation's future, themselves and the generations to come.

Personally, Anwar greatness has yet to be proven. Prior to Anwar’s incarceration, he himself was part of the system that skewered him, a system that perpetuate injustice and abuse through racism, lies and threat. As a matter of fact, coincidently or not, the situation doesn’t improve but deteriorated during his tenancy as cabinet member and as DPM. Only fair to add, it is much worse today.

He tasted, enjoyed and benefited the fruits of injustice and abuse until he happens to be on the receiving end.

Unless he can back up his words with action, which has yet to be seen, especially with the resent turn of events within his party PKR, with the benefit of doubts given, maybe the opportunity to do so still elude him but unless proven, I personally will still view him with contempt, an opportunist riding on a string of misfortunes plaguing Malaysia.

RPK seems generous to associate the word “Greatness” with Anwar. “Greatness” needs to be earned through deeds and not given through cheap talks. Need the right decision to correct the wrongs done. Inaction equals condone or are we seeing a replay of UMNO?

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written by Sashi Nair, February 03, 2010 11:13:20

Maybe it's time for a 3rd front a social democratic one, builds around civil society and PSM. Its time for the working class to take over things, workers of Malaysia, wake up and move! Zaid you are most welcome to join us, along with leaders from MTUC, Ceupac……………………. One can have dreams, can we not?

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written by Awang Kuku, February 03, 2010 10:24:36

Zaid is a sincere leader that I fully respect. If he is caught in the civil tussle, leave the rotten apple to those who would eat it and keep it. If Anwar is incarcerated for good, Zaid will have no future in PKR, with some self-seeking goons around. My humble thought is that Zaid will have to options: One, remain in PRK and kena sidelined or wacked for nothing; Two, leave PRK now and join DAP.

My reason for him joining DAP: DAP is in the aggressive drive to recruit able and thinking Malays to make the party truly "multi-racial". I am very sure Zaid will be given great opportunity to lead. Most non-Malays have high regards for Zaid. With the present DAP leadership, I see very promising drive towards just and clean governance.

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written by Semuaok, February 03, 2010 10:22:29

1) Zaid If you want to be a leader then act like one. Convince your party and believe they will take proper action. The last thing you want to do is go to the press. You deserve a warning letter.

2) You said "And was this not also the cause of the Ezam Mohd Nor versus Azmin Ali conflict" You mean this is bad? Are you kidding me.

3) Between someone who is loyal and I can trust for many years versus someone who I think is "smart" and "leadership" caliber. Sorry Pete I pick someone who is loyal and I can trust.

4) Azmin Ali huh? This is tough and he is someone I don't know but he hasn't do anything that I don't like and I would give him the benefit of the doubt.

Pete again,
Warning, Suspend, Sack Sack Sack these are all you care. (How many can you sack) I always believe religious people are angry people. Let focus on the better good. The rest will fall in place.

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written by truthbespoken, February 03, 2010 10:05:06

Dedicated to Bro RPK,

In this World...People & Candles -
The truth and falsity of it all
_______________________

Some tend to think they are better,
Some always feel they are richer,

Some cannot see light,
Some desire to see light,

Some choose not to see light,
Others prefer heat over light,

Whether exuding heat or light,
Some maybe even wasting on wax,

Lighted candles will continue to impart both light
And heat…for the people.

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written by DreamLady, February 03, 2010 09:48:06

My dear Raja Petra, I read the article mentioning ' Anwar's death......' it never once cross my mind that you bear him any ill will, on the contrary the message you meant for him to understand and digest thoroughly by using one notch higher "Tone" to provoke Anwar so that he wakes up from his folly of complacency and to learn to appreciate those who sincerely wish him well in all his undertakings..

Anwar should be thankful to those who are constantly fighting on his behalf. Instead of getting angry with people who fight for him, Anwar should pay heed to the advice and warning. After all his well-wishers never asked for anything in return, so Anwar, what is the big deal of getting cross with people who care for you????

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written by batsman, February 03, 2010 09:06:12

PAS has said Zaid is welcome to join it. Can DAP accept Zaid any more than PKR can? Can DAP work with PAS if PKR disintegrates? For the sake of Malaysia, I hope everything is possible and that DSAI can rise above his problems and if not - DAP and PAS can work together hand in glove.

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written by popuri, February 03, 2010 09:03:05

RPK, this is precisely what I've been trying to say all this while, vote we must, but make sure the people we voted up fulfill their obligations to the Rakyat. I hope this article will influence people not to vote blindly for the sake of voting. PR may be our only way out, but we must not feed their arrogance through our worships. If they want our respect, they need to earn it.

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written by Buayanegara, February 03, 2010 08:25:10

RPK, if after all these advice the leaders are still blind, so be it !!
you have done your best . the cuntry has gone to the Dogs.
PKR , infact the whole blinking PR should wake up !! what you are doing is self destruction !!
Don,t b blinded by the RM sign !!! u took up office to SERVE THE PEOPLE and not to PLUNDER
like the other coalition .
But then ALL CROWS ARE BLACK - lets hope the PKR leaders can at least make a better choice
of their candidates and not sapu rejects who are uwanted by others.
Vet their background - and not accept people who will sell their mothers for a song in return 4 wealth

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written by Angela Ooi, February 03, 2010 07:07:56

It will be tragic if Anwar does not take this posting humbly and earnestly. Please do not repeat the mistake of dUMNO. being allergic to good guys while kowtowing to the baddies among themselves.
While I am not a member of any political party and cerrtainly never a fan of Anwar, I note that he is the
glue holding Pakatan togather and my vote is still for him to get Pakatan to Putrajaya. He must rid his party of the 'irritant' members asap

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written by kenny, February 03, 2010 07:07:36

Dear Anwar Ibrahim, I find this article from RPK to be his most direct, sincere and constructive in regards to you and PKR. Please ensure that Zaid Ibrahim is not driven away.

We in MT know that you do read RPK's articles. Though most of us here are not politicians, we all have a common enemy in the Umno regime. A lot of us here, after being awakened by RPK, had contributed our time, effort and money to the political tsunami last GE. And we are still going around informing and educating the less initiated. I hope we would not be demoralized.

Many of us are indeed hoping that you will be saved from the slammer somehow. But should they succeed with their evil plan, it is all the more important that a respectable leader of stature be chosen as replacement to help lead Pakatan into Putrajaya in the next GE; a leader who meets the requirements and who commands adequate respect from the rakyat in this crucial fight against Umno.

Allow me to say that you owe it to yourself and the people now to set in place a brave, capable, decisive and respected leader who is more likely to be able to destroy Umno and save the country. Only if Umno is destroyed would we see the likelihood of a court review spring you out of prison.

Any incapable or less notable leader as replacement will not help steer the cause, Sir!

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written by singhkris, February 03, 2010 07:00:11

The UMNO culture is too strongly embedded in some of the PKR chaps. In the end we might see DAP and PAS standing and taking the challenge to dislodge BN. As someone rightly pointed out, Zaid should join DAP and make it a truly multi-racial party.

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written by Taikohtai, February 03, 2010 05:33:24

The yardstick is whether DSAI is doing it for himself or for the rakyat or for something else.
I think as long as the rakyat is able to benefit from his leadership, Pakatan represents a most viable option.
And I cannot say the same for UMNO. The choice is crystal clear.

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written by Ramesh, February 03, 2010 04:26:54

RPK, How do you suggest DSAI not to fight the 3 fronts? 2 of the 3 fronts are external and out of his control. Are you sugesting not to fight and masuk penjara? Are you sugesting he fades aways from politics altogether? But I do agrree on the 3rd front which needs to be controlled.

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written by SpeakOut, February 03, 2010 02:46:20

RPK, I wholeheartedly agree with you. Painful though it may be, we need to discard sentiments and criticise our leaders if they are not acting in the interest and welfare of the rakyat. Sometimes leaders forget that we voted them in to represent us NOT to squander our trust and do things to service thier self interest whatever that may be.

When will these leaders ever learn? At this rate of increasing controversies both in BN and PKR, Ithe prospect of continued chaos in every sphere of life in the country is indeed very distressing.

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written by jokersland, February 03, 2010 02:26:07

Since Zaid annouce his decision to join PKR, I've already said that he is making a wrong decision because PKR are full of ex umno reject that will not accept his idealogy. He should follow like Tunku Aziz did by joining DAP. At least DAP had proven peoples like Karpal and Senior Lim still stand by their principals since so long as far as I can remember and are more in tandem as what Zaid of more modern way of ideology and mindset that fit into DAP. This is just my personal opinion.

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written by rocky, February 03, 2010 02:25:18

Anwar as you clearly mentioned has some weakness. His and PKR's inability to deal with bad hats within PKR has shown, they should have sacked the 2 buggers in perak and call for election, instead PKR hanged on to them but finally the 2 buggers played them out and see what happened to PR in Perak. Lets not forget the UMNO ADUN that jumped and jumped back. Now we have the 2 Zs and clearly the zul should be sacked and Zaid is pushing for it and his public stand is to make sure message is clear and two to show the public his stand thus he can stay clear or move along if zul is still with the party. Zaid is not stupid and has thought things true. I hear he is ambitious and has his agenda, so what is wrong with that. You do not need stupid fellows joining you, do you? Azmin is off course very close to Anwar and seems(to think) to be next in line but then there is Zaid who seems to be more acceptable in the eye of the rakyat. Azmin i think is a smart guy but his profile is low key and IMHO not ready to take one the big job in PKR/PR.

I hate to see Anwar go to jail but I also hate to see PKR hanging on to bad hats. just get rid of them, you have more to gain in next GE than what you lose now. Anwar needs to toughen up and soon cos as it is the PKR bad hats have dented his reputation and PKR. Only saving grace is people know they are UMNO backed and have their self interest but indecision is still bad and PKR support is weakened.

Now as for Azmin, a great leader knows to step back and try to work around his weakness and enhance his skills further. if Anwar goes to jail, Azmin should let Zaid take charge but with him 2nd in command and both should agree to work together and put in place a succession plan with lots of exposure for Azmin. but will that happen? unlikely cos the internal battle will be hard cos they will not do what is best for PKR or PR or the rakyat. so lets watch the show but I pray Anwar starts making tough decision and PKR must realise that the last thing they need if Anwar is in jail is for an internal fight or to allow good people like Zaid to leave.

put away your self interest for the sake of the nation, forget about your party, nation comes 1st cos next elections you guys must all work together and win it. so it is best have Plan B for PR without PKR if PKR self destructs, PR can move on with the struggle with PAS taking the lead. hey PAS is more sensible than UMNO when it comes to islam, so MCA etc should be worried cos UMNO is the extremist party, not PAS. PAS is clean and honest and so is DAP. I can buy into that as long as we have people who are honest and clean and have the best interest of the nation. smilies/cool.gif

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written by PenangHokkienKia, February 03, 2010 02:24:49

PR were formed AFTER the last general elections. The rakyat did not choose PR, there was no PR. The rakyat was fed up with BN and wanted to deny them the 2/3. Majority of these people who had a sudden change of mind in voting manner, e.g like myself (who had been voting BN for the last four general elections prior to the last one) was due to alternate media in internet. PR don't be arrogant. smilies/sad.gif

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written by educationist, February 03, 2010 01:38:26

Let's not put Anwar too high up the pedestal yet.
That he has been instrumental in putting together the PR that resulted in the 308 tsunami cannot be denied.
But it has been downhill all the way since then.
To push Zaid from PKR shall be a great mistake but it is not one committed by a great man!!