A New Dawn for Malaysia

“IT WAS the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way- in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only.” – A Tale of Two Cities

It all began 20 years ago. The year was 1998. September 2nd 1998 to be exact. Malaysia was never the same again.

From the corridors of power to the dungeons of incarceration, the story of Anwar Ibrahim and the Malaysian reformation movement cannot be more intertwined nor understated. Yet, for 20 years, Malaysians have never been more divided than we are now. Our politics so divisive yet so diverse at the same time.

Ironically though, we are now also more united than ever. And the greater irony is that the one who divided us is the one nemesis who we now hail as the ‘hero’ that united us. What a paradoxical conundrum we’ve been put through.

And it all began with the fall of one man 20 years ago, the one-time rising star of Malaysian politics, the Renaissance man himself, Anwar Ibrahim.

The Asian Renaissance Man

I was first introduced to Anwar Ibrahim as a school boy when a young Saudara Anwar was masterfully roped into UMNO in 1982 by none other than the nemesis himself, Tun Dr Mahathir, who was then the newly minted Prime Minister at that time. And what a furore that created.

A rabble-rouser. A firebrand. An agent provocateur. Fiery in his speeches since his student activism days of the 60s and the 70s, Anwar is known to court controversy and create waves wherever he went. This very same firebrand who led student demonstrations in the 70s in Baling over rural poverty and hunger.

He was subsequently jailed for 20 months under ISA as a result of that incident. Yet, Anwar was actually more famous for his involvement as an Islamic youth, founding the Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia and many have expected him to join PAS instead.

So, for him to join UMNO was nothing short of a political coup by Mahathir at that time, and he took Saundra Anwar under his wing, who became his protege. With Mahathir’s strong backing, Anwar’s meteoric rise within the party was assured and he rose swiftly up the ranks within UMNO and became the Deputy Prime Minister. The rest as they say, is history.

I don’t think there has been any other political leaders in Malaysia who have had the same amount of impact on our country’s political landscape as much as both Anwar and Mahathir had – negative or otherwise. So for the two political giants, the Twin Towers of Malaysian politics to join hands in reconciliation and fight a crooked regime that Mahathir once helmed and led for 22 years is stuff that fairy tales are made of. Yet, we know in politics, nothing is ever permanent. Not friends, least of all, foes.

Legends Live On

However, this story isn’t about Anwar Ibrahim nor Mahathir alone. The demonising effect against Anwar has ironically alleviated Anwar to the status of a martyr, the struggle of conscience – between good and evil. Yet, the act of Mahathir coming out of retirement to reconcile with Anwar and stand as an opposition candidate, and then win has also ironically alleviated Mahathir to status of a ‘Legend’.

Mahathir’s legendary status is sealed, as he will go down in Malaysian history as the one who brought UMNO and BN to its knees, but more as the politician who never once lost a General Election.

But was this just the ‘Mahathir’ factor that shook the nation? I don’t think so.

Generally, I think that BN and UMNO especially have stayed too long in power that they have completely lost touch with reality. But over and beyond, I think it’s the fact that the people have had enough.

Pride Precedes a Fall – Always

The fall of BN was already written on the wall. It was the conceited, aloofed and proud leaders of BN that were delusional who missed the obvious signs that was there for all to see that nailed the coffin. The massive turnouts at almost every Pakatan Harapan election rally from Johor to Melaka, Negri Sembilan to Perak, Sabah and Sarawak, were indication of what is to come. The people have had enough of all the lies, deceit, trickery and bigotry. The people finally rose and spoke. Enough is enough.

They say that pride always precedes fall, yet if the fallen refuse to see the truth for what it is, then there’s no place for them in this new era of ethical and moral conscience. There is no shame in admitting fault. There is no shame in falling. Only when we refuse to admit our shortcomings and failings.

Reconciliatory Reformation

Nurul Izzah was spot on when she spoke about the reconciliation that she and her family had to come to terms with. Forgiving the man who brought so much heartache and hatred in their lives. Not only were they forced to forgive, they had to run an election campaign together and sit side-by-side with the man that they curse and ridicule for 20 years.

“It’s about moving forward, it’s about building and empowering the future. Never walk with a chip on your shoulder,” I remember her saying at one of the TedX talks.

There’s No Turning Back

If BN, UMNO, MCA, MIC and its parties were to remain relevant, it must first admit what went wrong and strive to change for the better. No amount if cajoling brow-beating, excuse-giving is gonna change the fact that they have been rejected and squarely beaten. The sooner they realize this, the better it is for our country, and only then can we move forward progressively as a modern nation.

They say that time will heal all wounds. Some may take 20 years, some may take a lifetime, but heal it must, and heal it will. Nothing stays permanent forever.

My lesson is all this? That we can never stop the voice of change. We can only embrace it with optimism and a hope of a better future.

Jangan bungkam suara kritis.