[ad_1]
Dennis Ignatius
[1] A question often asked of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s critics (one columnist calls them Anwar haters) is, if not Anwar, then who? They simply say we should shut up because the alternatives are worse.
[2] Anwar’s critics – and I am one of them – don’t “hate” him; we are just deeply disappointed in his leadership and his failure to deliver on his promises.
[3] Like millions of Malaysians, I voted for him because he had promised reforms for decades. However, after finally winning power, he seemed to turn his back on reforms, even absurdly invoking the chaos brought about by the French Revolution (1789) to justify delaying reforms.
[4] At first, Anwar’s defenders argued that he needed more time to consolidate his position before embarking on reforms. Then, they told us to remember that the current government is a coalition government, not a Pakatan Harapan government — as if that in itself excused Anwar from fulfilling his promises. Now they tell us not to question Anwar’s performance because the alternatives would be worse.
[5] It should be obvious by now that all the talk of “reform” while he was in the political wilderness was unconvincing; just a manipulative ploy designed to appeal to Malaysians who have had enough of years of corruption, racism and abuse of power at the hands of UMNO. Anwar has let us down now, just as Mahathir let us down.
[6] There is really no need for Anwar’s apologists to remind voters what the alternatives are if Anwar goes. People are not stupid; they know that our country is facing a severe shortage of good leaders, men and women of courage, vision and political integrity. The fact is, we are already in trouble.
[7] Meanwhile, even as his defenders warn against alternatives, Anwar himself has begun to resemble them. Note, for example, that he is even more Islamist than PAS president Hadi Awang. Since coming to power, he has expanded Islamic education in public schools, brought in a slew of international Islamic leaders to legitimize his Islamic credentials, expanded the role of the Islamic Development Academy and the Islamic bureaucracy, and is now advancing Hadi’s pet project, RUU355. Under Anwar, we seem to be moving further and further away from the roots of secular democracy.
[8] The Democratic Action Party has been inciting fear among non-Malays about the “Green Wave” launched by the Islamic Party; we should be equally worried about the “Green Wave” launched by Anwar.
[9] Of course, Anwar’s apologists defend his Islamist agenda on the grounds that he must win back the support of the Malay Muslims. This means that, whether it is Anwar or Hadi, we will eventually have an Islamic state.
[10] In other areas—race relations, economic reform, revitalizing our moribund education system, repealing anti-democratic legislation, political appointments—he is increasingly unremarkable. Moreover, he seems as indifferent to the concerns of minorities as his predecessors.
[11] Many also wonder why Anwar, despite his strong parliamentary position, continues to pander to UMNO – effectively allowing a party that voters thoroughly reject as corrupt, incompetent and racist to call the shots on so many national issues.
[12] Zahid Hamidi’s proposal to force landowners to surrender up to 20% of their land (agricultural and industrial) upon lease renewal is straight out of the Malay supremacist playbook – another blow to the long-suffering minority. Yet the man who once talked about “people first” and building a more just society has remained silent.
[13] Even his signature anti-corruption campaign turned into a farce. While the MACC ruthlessly pursued Anwar’s political enemies, his friends and allies were given DNAAs. Some of the worst cases of corruption and abuse of power by UMNO leaders – the LCS scandal being one of them – were also willfully ignored. Voters are not fools; they saw through the whole charade.
[14] Clearly, the tide is turning; people are losing faith in his leadership. The alternatives that Anwar’s apologists have focused on are now gaining support. Rather than focusing on his critics, Anwar’s apologists may want to see Anwar improve his performance, keep his promises, and become the leader he claims to be.
[ad_2]
Source link
