Who after Anwar? But asking
him to step down isnt good enough...
After the drubbing in the Melaka election, naturally many are going for Anwar Ibrahim’s blood. Calls are loud and clear for him to step aside as leader of Pakatan Harapan (and for some), even as leader of PKR.
Anwar has done much to introduce new ideas into Malay politics, taking a more inclusive and liberal position on issues of multiracial and multireligious settings for Malaysia. He wanted to bring about racial harmony and a more compassionate role of religion in society. He has also canvassed openly on the need to approach Malay special privileges with fairness, introducing a needs-based formula in the application of affirmative discriminatory policies – a very controversial position to take in this country. But ideas do not get support easily in our society. Good values or talking about good governance doesn’t get you very far. The people want something quick and the leader who can give quick fixes and quick service, whether in the form of cash or goodies, will win the day.
I have always felt deep empathy for the travails Anwar had gone through. I don’t think a man should spend 10 years in jail for a sodomy offence (assuming he was guilty in the first place). It is a moral offence at best. Few men had endured as much betrayal of his close colleagues in the struggle to make life better for the country as Anwar. Of course, Anwar should not be rewarded with political success just because life had been tough on him. But he had gone through an immensely difficult journey because he wanted to do something good for the country. He could have taken an easier way out 25 years ago by taking Daim Zainuddin’s advice to go to Britain for a sabbatical – a long one. Anwar decided to take the difficult road and he paid a very heavy price for it.
Many had given me a list of Anwar’s weaknesses as a leader, but they are all true because he did not become Prime Minister. Had he become one, those weaknesses would be described as strengths. Anwar wanted a renaissance for the country, but the people wanted Malay first policy to continue. The mismatch of expectations is the cause of Anwar’s failure.
It is also true that a political leader who is not able to deliver electoral victories should step aside. Anwar has failed, make no mistake about that. But before we ask him to step down, we should ask ourselves what do we want? Do we know what we want? Don’t be like Manchester United; those who do not know what they want. They renewed Mourinho’s contract and three months later sacked him. They gave Solskjaer long term contract in July until 2024 and sacked him in November 2021.
So, to those who supported the opposition and wanted to see the change in the country; do they know what they want? If winning an election and being in government is paramount, then go pay homage to Najib Razak. He is probably the favourite to be the next Prime Minister. Or go to Marang and have a chat with Tan Sri Hadi Awang and tell him that his idea of an Islamic state is compatible with the social democrats in DAP. But if you want a government where the Prime Minister does not rule like Louis the 14th; and you want rule of law to be an integral part of the system; then you must be prepared for a long haul.
Leaders like Anwar and Kit Siang exemplify that leadership courage facing the trauma of politics in seeking fundamental changes in the country. They endured hardships and yet they continued to persevere despite electoral setbacks. Do we have other leaders who have the stamina to take over and continue the struggles? Many have good ideas, but talk is always easy. Can they endure when the prospect of forming a government looks bleak?
The country needs an enlightened leader who believes in being fair to all Malaysians. BN won Melaka but that says nothing about how much change we can expect from a coalition which has wrought havoc to the country. We still need an old-fashioned leader who believes in an honest government, who will not steal from the peoples’ coffers, and who can plan effectively in dealing with the host of problems we have.
Instead of having a post-mortem on the Melaka defeat, the parties in the PH coalition – PKR, DAP and Amanah – should conduct a thorough self-examination. Ask who should step down and which new leaders should move up. Ask where they can place good Malay leaders like Maszlee Malik, Nurul Izzah, Nik Nazmi, Rafizi Ramli, Syahredzan Johan. There must be other good talents they should actively promote.
Leaders who no longer have the stamina for the struggles should step aside. They have done much and should be honoured and remembered but they can’t score goals anymore. Step aside. Good ideas and good speeches don’t necessarily work in our country, but good planning is essential for electoral victory. Let’s work towards that.
What is certain is that we should not be enamoured by electoral victories alone in the immediate future. I see many are applauding the UMNO victories in Melaka with gusto but maybe they should reflect a bit more about the impact it will have on the rule of law in the country. A UMNO-PAS alliance, for example, will secure major electoral victories but that alliance will destroy this country in the long term. Corruption will be rampant, and extremism will rule the day.
We still need political leaders who believe in working towards a better country for its people. Although Americans still want Donald Trump (although that’s not what America needs in the long term) the fight against racism and fascist ideas supported by him must continue over there. Similarly, the forces of progressive Malaysia must coalesce and unite over here so that the future may not be so bleak. This requires careful deliberation and planning. Asking Anwar to step down without thinking of who to replace him is just not good enough. - Zaid Ibrahim
cheers.
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