Friday, September 09, 2005

i am out 40

Anwar very much a leader after six years Ah Chong Sep 8, 05 3:22pm


It appears that Anwar Ibrahim is stronger and in an even better position to lead this multi-racial country compared to six years ago when he was deputy prime minister. His time in prison has helped him mature as a leader of character. He confesses that he himself is now more patient. His enemies meant for him to rot in prison and to disappear into irrelevance but he has risen from the grave, so to speak, and is even more stronger then before. He still commands respect internationally and locally and judging form the crowd at his Hari Raya open house, he still has a large following. Ironically, Anwar may now have completed his ‘education’ to perhaps becoming one of Malaysia's best leaders. The world is changing. Physical borders which used to separate people and trade across the globe are no more and the world is becoming more competitive. However, the citizens of the world, ironically, are more divided than ever before. Not separated by physical borders anymore, the world is now separated by ideology and religion. Hostility, therefore, could exist within a nation’s own borders. Listening to and reading about Anwar has helped me see that perhaps this man of peace who holds fast to his religious convictions is able to respect others’ beliefs and worldview will be able to initiate crucial dialogues. This is perhaps the reason why he has been sought internationally to aid in bridging the great divide between the Judeo-Christian West and the Islamic Arab world. Anwar has friends in both and is respected both internationally and locally. Malaysia is now at a crossroad. It can continue to shut the world out by persecuting dissenters and keeping the media choked or it can allow a free expression of ideas and views and allow a true democracy where the nation’s Constitution remains sacred and no matter which political party governs. A mature and civil society, which if you listen correctly, is Anwar's call for the new Malaysia. Thanks in no small part to Anwar's sacrifices, Malaysia has come out of its racial cocoon. The nation now, especially in fighting for justice and rule of law, is not divided along racial lines. It is now instead divided between the ordinary rakyat and the ruling elite who are rich and corrupt. Very much like in old England where you had the ruling aristocrats who lorded over the peasants they oppressed. Many non-Malays have found themselves drawn to Parti Keadilan Rakyat due to this very reason of fighting for justice and rule of law. Malaysia can forever remain shackled to the fears of May 13 or it can move on to become the best example of a mature and civil society which does not tolerate corruption or cronyism. The Barisan Nasional government, of course, will never allow us to forget May 13. The truth is many of us were not even born or were too young to understand what actually occurred on that day. Many young Malaysians today would really identify with a multi-racial political party which fosters true unity and works within the context of the Malaysian Constitution. Although hindered from taking part in active politics for the past six years, Anwar is very much a leader to many in Malaysia. We will continue to pray that he is able to continue taking an active part in politics and God willing, take the helm of the nation's leadership one day soon.

I always believe Anwar is the better choice for PM in the country. The charges against him were a ploy to hinder his political growth. During that time I was one of those who didnt agree that he did those charges. In the years followed I sighed a sense of accomplishment that the court ruled him not guilty and freed him. Yet his former political party UMNO couldnt accept him back because the current elite is afraid of his engagement within the party. Outside he is still a major political heavy weight...I had listened to his speech in Penang He could really engage the crowd of various races to listen to him. I still believe he is the man for the country..

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