What's the fuss about Anwar Ibrahim and why UMNO want to assassinate Anwar's political career?

Written by Maclean Patrick, Malaysia Chronicle

Anwar Ibrahim is 64 this year.

His biodata reads former Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998, incarcerated in 1999, released in 2004 after the Federal Court reversed the sodomy conviction, won re-election in the Permatang Pauh by election and stood as the leader of Malaysia’s opposition in Parliament.

Anwar Ibrahim is also Barisan Nasional’s and more precisely UMNO’s biggest headache.

Never in the history of Malaysia, have we been treated to a more colorful leader. A figure who has dominated the Malaysian political scene since his infamous sacking in 1998 by then prime minister, Tun Mahathir Mohamed.

Anwar Ibrahim has been the bane of two former Malaysian Prime Ministers, Tun Mahathir Mohamed and Tun Abdullah Badawi plus the current one - Najib Razak.

One may not be an Anwarista, but one cannot deny he has brought a new dimension to politics in Malaysia.

But so too have his enemies. They have introduced to the Malaysian public the intricacies of character assassination, trial by media, the injustice within the judiciary system, corruption within the ruling elite and government machinery as well as the totalitarian nature of the Malaysian government.

Why so much attention on a 64-year old with a bad back

Why is Anwar Ibrahim accorded such massive attention by the players in Malaysian politics?

The answer may be that the Opposition cannot do without him, while the government is trying its best to ensure the nation can.

Upon his sacking in 1998, Anwar Ibrahim formed and led Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

He pulled together two other main political opposition parties in Parliament - DAP and PAS. And gave these two entities common ground to stage their offensive against the Barisan Nasional.

Though the relationship was shaky at first, it has managed to solidify into a strong front to challenge the Barisan Nasional’s strangle-hold on Malaysian politics.

The strength of the Alternative Front was evident when the results of the 2008 general elections showed the Opposition winning and forming government in 5 states. The three-party opposition Alternative Front had come of age.

In the recent Sarawak Election, Anwar’s charismatic personality helped to draw in the numbers to his rallies.

Speaking out against the need to rid corruption and to implement good governance, it struck a chord with the young intellectual voters. This resulted in the opposition winning over the urban votes and two rural seats.

Not just Pakatan, Umno too would be lost without him

The ability to connect with the masses is actually Anwar's main strength. Charisma that makes him the pivotal politician that he is. This is Anwar at his best, in front of a crowd and touching base with every day issues.

Yet, here too lies the Achilles heel within the Alternative Front.

Could the three-party-opposition alliance survive without Anwar Ibrahim?

And funny enough, can UMNO survive without having a character like Anwar Ibrahim within it’s political radar?

Whatever one thinks of him, Anwar is the glue that keeps the opposition parties together. He is the mediator that channels the strengths of the often opposing parties in the opposition towards a common goal. Take Anwar out of the picture and the opposing teams would be at each other’s throats in no time.

Yet, Anwar Ibrahim is also the focus that gives UMNO a sense of meaning. A target to channel grassroots anger towards. Instead of to their own ruling elite.

Without Anwar Ibrahim, UMNO has nothing to harp about nor divert the Malay community's attention towards. Anwar Ibrahim is UMNO’s convenient bogeyman, the one used to scare the Malays. Without Anwar as a diversion, UMNO and BN’s inabilities would stick out like sore thumbs.

In time, we will have to fathom a political landscape without Anwar Ibrahim, but till that day arrives, the political scene in Malaysia will be peppered by some of the most intriguing and mind-boggling plots worthy enough for any drama.

And the central actor will be Anwar Ibrahim. Whether with his agreement or not!

Malaysia Chronicle

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