Anwar scores own goal with PD Move


(Mkini) – Prime-minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim must realise one thing. Nothing in politics is set in stone. He may have been promised the premiership, but the Port Dickson farce is an own goal and a perfect display of impatience.

By parachuting himself into Port Dickson, he revealed a nasty trait – his sense of entitlement. When we criticise the ‘PD Move’, his inner circle screams, “It is Anwar’s right to be prime minister.”

Then came the disturbing statement from his wife, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who asked what the problem is if she, her husband and her daughter are in government. Running to her father’s defence, Nurul Izzah Anwar also said: “What is the issue? I thought we were voted in by the people?”

The ‘PD Move’ is not illegal, but it is unethical, especially at a time when we are desperate for politicians to act with integrity. All the justification for this farcical move will only increase his unpopularity, and his dynasty will attract pity and more ridicule.

After his release on May 16, he said, “I’ll be taking time off to give a series of talks, in Harvard, Georgetown and a few Muslim countries.” These promises turned out to be like the morning mists on the hills, vaporising with the intense heat of the sun.

Anwar is used to being in the limelight. Wherever he goes, the press pack follows, while his supporters guard him against any intrusion.

Yes, he is a good orator, often name-dropping along the way, saying that he is a friend of Al Gore, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other world leaders – even if the latter is not exactly a pleasant person!

Anwar’s speeches may bewilder the ordinary man in the street and may sound impressive. Littered with Quranic quotes, presumably to show his expansive religious knowledge, they are more of a distraction, as people are more keen on his message.

Yes, we supported his release from prison. He suffered an injustice and he was incarcerated for political reasons, but we would have offered the same support, to any other person, even former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, if he had been unjustly victimised. Malaysians have a strong moral code and a sense of justice.

Yes, we are grateful to Anwar for initiating the Reformasi movement. Since the first spark of reform was lit, 20 years ago, Malaysians are more circumspect, critical and less fearful of the authorities. Now, we do not act like sheep, ready for slaughter…

 



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