Was not intending to drag myself to Kampung Baru from the office, but by 5pm, I got restless.
If Anwar was going to lay bare his plans, reading about it in the blogs and Malaysiakini just would not do.
I wanted to be able to observe the man’s body language and make my own deductions.
Got to the venue a little after 8pm with Tony, Meesh and Shami.
Won’t bother to write about what Anwar said, as Tony has done a very good report HERE.
For some good photographs of the evening, check them out HERE.
These are non-copyrighted photos.
That Pakatan Rakyat is committed to the agenda of ‘ketuanan rakyat’ and not ‘ketuanan Melayu’ and the resounding approval from the largely Malay crowd was encouraging.
Just hope that most of those in the crowd fully appreciate the implications of this new agenda.
My sense last night was that much of what Anwar said was delivered with sincerity.
As he spoke, I quickly sized up for myself the options that confronted the nation.
Pak Lah is going down. That seems to be an irretrievable position.
Ku Li has made his intentions known.
And Najib looms in the shadows, with all the baggage that he bears.
Ku Lu, Najib or Anwar : those are the only options I can see before us in the short term.
Seen in that light, there are no real options.
I promised Barry earlier that I would spell out my concerns about Anwar, and I will.
For now, I guess I’ll just say that I will draw some comfort from the fact that Anwar now has to work in a completely different circumstance from his days in the BN government, in a completely different political climate.
In Pakatan Rakyat, DAP and PAS will afford the requisite check and balance.
And, dare I hope, he will have to contend with a civil society that has found its voice and the power at its disposal. This must serve as the ultimate control over those who pledge to serve this nation and its people.
So, yes, I guess Anwar is the only option.
For now, that is.
The People's Parliament 
Harris Fadhillah
April 15, 2008
Ada lagi kah ketuanan Melayu sekarang ?
Saya nak bertanya kepada sdr Norza dari UMNO yang menyeru supaya PKR , PAS bersatu dengan UMNO berkaitan agenda penyatuan ummah dan ketuanan Melayu samada seruan beliau adalah ikhlas atau sekadar retorik setelah UMNO mengalami kemerosotan paling teruk didalam sejarah negara .
Mengapa baru sekarang sdr teringat kepada perpaduan melayu islam ? Mengapa sebelum PEMILU 12 sebulan lalu , isu ini tidak di timbulkan .? Adakah kerana UMNO takut kehilangan kuasanya setelah 50 thn menjadi teraju utama pemerintahan negara ini ?
Kalau negeri-negeri yang kini dibawah pemerintahan Pakatan Rakyat sudah mula melaksanakan janji-janji pilihanraya mereka tetapi UMNO nampaknya masih didalam kemelut dan percakaran diantara satu sama lain . Apa dah jadi kepada UMNO ?Bukan kah sepatutnya mereka memulakan tugas-tugas untuk memerintah negara setelah kabinet dibentukdan port folio masing-masing telah diberi .
Kalau kepentingan rakyat menjadi agenda UMNO seperti mana yang di katakan didalam kempen-kempen pilihanraya yang baru berlalu ,mengapa kah orang-orang melayu masih di ketepikan ?
Jangan lah hanya pandai menjerit ketuanan melayu sekarang kini terancam tetapi pada hakikatnya orang-orang melayu telah lama hilang ketuanan dan kekuasaan geo politik mereka disebabkan kerakusan dan kepentingan segelintir kecil orang-orang melayu didalam UMNO .
johnleemk
April 15, 2008
Haris, I myself have never been quite sure of Anwar. Likewise, I have never been very sure of PAS. I am very willing to give them a shot at proving they have changed, however. I think people react to incentives; the changed situation means they have no choice but to go along with what the rakyat want. Maybe they have ill intentions, but as long as the rakyat are willing to pressure our elected leaders to act for the good of the country, I think we can stymie this behaviour. Ultimately almost anyone, including ourselves, can go rotten given the right circumstances (hence the adage that power corrupts); in the same way, I think given the right circumstances, we can make our leaders – both from BN and PR – work for the good of the nation. It is up to us to make those circumstances a reality.
Fair
April 15, 2008
Dear Haris,
As it is now Anwar Ibrahim is our best hope for leading a government which is less corrupt , more transparent, more accountable, more competent,respect basic human rights,doing away all the repressive legislations…etc than the current Barisan Nasional coalition government.
After what he went through , I believe he is a changed man compares to his time in the BN government.
Further more if Pakatan Rakyat disappoints us , we can always kick them out during GE.
koolgeek
April 16, 2008
2 party system is what this nation needs. BN can become the opposition and stay relevant in the picture.
Too much power for one coalition spells disaster for the Rakyat.
Gan
April 16, 2008
Haris, I agree with you … Anwar seems the best option at this point in time.
To give him this chance would also mean giving Malaysia a chance for a different future.
Let’s work towards a fair, equal and transparent Malaysia with the PR coalition, and, perhaps with Anwar as the next PM !!
Robert Manurung
April 16, 2008
Selamat buat Anwar Ibrahim dan Rakyat Malaysia. Semoga perjuangan Reformasi berhasil dan akan membawa Malaysia menjadi negara yang lebih demokratis dan berkeadilan.
PS : aku baru saja memposting artikel bertajuk “Anwar Ibrahim Bebas Berpolitik, Badawi Panik”. Bagi yang mungkin berminat sila lihat di http://ayomerdeka.wordpress.com/
Salam persaudaraan dari Indonesia
Robert Manurung, Jakarta
countach
April 16, 2008
No option but Anwar. There is no any other alternative for now. So we settle(d) on him.
shar101
April 16, 2008
Haris,
Whether AI is a better choice to lead the nation is beyond our reach politically but an equally balanced two party system would be ideal for the nation.
What we can do, through Barisan Rakyat and the guiding principles of the People’s Declaration, is to establish a monitoring system of checks and balances.
The PR-led state governments are moving forward, Let’s help them to achieve better governance.
And remaining apolitical will serve this purpose.
Sharing
April 16, 2008
Set the System before choosing the Man!
————————————–
“Effective and Credible Pakatan Rakyat”
“accountability and good governance”
These cannot be done by one Man, but a good system!
Basically Legislative, Monitoring & Executing must be independent with each other.
Human Rights must be the First Priority of ALL.
Not only no monetary but also no power incentive should be provided to cross-over (if that is the way DSAI is going to do)!
He had mentioned the targets but not the way how these can be achieved!
Had his announced that the “new” government will plug the holes of the previous BN government including plugging the “nonsense” concessionaries?
To chase after the corrupted to recover what had been siphoned?
Is the digging of loopholes on Land Matters in Selangor been Transparent enough? To set-up at least a complaint office to handle report of grievances from Rakyats?
How can he straighten up the Judiciary, ACA, Police will be another basis!
We need one who can at least be able to tell HOW!
One who can give promises on more precise topics of what the next Government should handle.
At least be able to give an indication of how many Oil Money should be recovered!
Without specifying His JOBS, give Him NO POWER!
Without a Competent Monitoring System with promises to change the Constitution, power should not be centralized on One Person! At least no more taking up any other Minister Post!
Singam
April 16, 2008
Haris wrote “My sense last night was that much of what Anwar said was delivered with sincerity.”
I am glad to read this.
For me, Anwar’s importance is that he has provided what used to be merely opposition with the opportunity to become, at the very least, a government in waiting. As others have mentioned, there is now the reality that Malaysian politics will finally have checks and balances.
I don’t expect what remains of BN to dismantle the aberrations Mahathir inflicted upon our systems. For this reason, Pakatan Rakyat has to take the federal government sooner rather than later. But I hope that Anwar is listening to voices of reason and will not take power on a basis that is ethically weak. Such a course would weaken the ethical base of his leadership.
Forget high horses. If Anwar can take the high road and still assume the mantle of Premiership, that will give him a legitimacy no amount of rhetoric or rationalising can.
For now, he appears to have a strategy that may well accomplish that. Good for him. Good for all of us.
Free Malaysia
April 16, 2008
I have no doubts in my mind that Anwar Ibrahim is our man in Putrajaya. He is the man who can lead Malaysia forward and bring us together as Malaysians.
Yes, the man was in Umno before. Yes, he was the DPM before etc etc. My take is if the man was corrupted then, how come after 10 years the mighty BN have yet to produce a single shread of evidence of corruption against Anwar?
He is our PM in waiting.
mosesfoo
April 16, 2008
Haris
Is a two-party system good for the country? Why so? What difference does it make when the same pattern of corruption can be repeated by any political party in power?
We, by quite a fair bit of comments in various blogs postings, have put our hope on PR as the saviour for the evil of BN. Is it right to it that way, for us to surrender all to a group of people?
Likewise, I’m a little ambivalence about AI taking the leadership. On one hand, yes, please take it and lead this nation out of its hibernation, restoring the rule of law, equality and justice for all, ensuring all have a place under its sun. On the other hand, a lingering doubt do remain about what would happen when power has been soaked up beyond its capability to wield it.
malayamuda
April 16, 2008
Dear Haris,
Only 2 persons have strong personalities to influence the thinking of the rakyat in Malaysia. Any guesses ?
1. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
2. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim
Dr Mahathir used his strong personality starting of as a Malay ultra and religious fanatic and ending with segregatory policies, corruption, curbing the media, blatant disregard for civil rights and liberty of the citizens , misuse of the ISA and finally division of the people of Malaysians along racist lines.
The people of Malaysia were short changed and fooled into believing they were masters with slogans like
” Ketuanan Melayu ” and the like ,when actually the deal was far worse than what they got during British rule.
Neo colonist Mahathir beat us, jailed us, barred us from speaking up and created this culture of fear and racism which is still propagated by UMNO.
When Sir Onn Jaafar met with other Malay leaders at Sultan Sulaiman club in 1946 were there riot police there trying to stop him ? Was he summoned to the police station for a statement after the “illegal” gathering ?
Anwar Ibrahim on the other hand started of as a religious fanatic and later after joining UMNO, under the tutelage of Mahathir became a Malay Nationalist aka racist. But after his fall from grace and humiliated by his very people whom he fought so hard for he realised that life is not all about race and religion.
His incarceration made him realise [ i hope ], that we are all human beings and deserve respect and love, no matter what our race or religion. After his release he has shown to have reinvented himself to fight the Malaysian cause and fairness to all, in order to see Malaysia a stronger and united nation.
Anwar Ibrahim can bring positive changes to Malaysia. He can also destroy Malaysia if he wishes too.
My best wishes to Anwar Ibrahim. I believe he will bring success to this nation we all call home.
lakshmi
April 16, 2008
Anwar is the only alternative we have. His six years in prison with the black eye and the arsenic thrown in, is enough to teach any man that such systems should not exist any more. He has been punished enough and I heard him say that he values freedom now. So in that sense, we have to forgive him for his past mistakes because to err is human, to forgive is divine. He has come out with all the right statements now, so we will give him a chance to prove that his actions should speak louder than his words. We have to take that chance. KETUANAN RAKYAT, NO OTHER WAY
LOne
April 16, 2008
Political parties and leaders governig come and go but the Rakyat remains and the rakyat must ensure that the system of government or the rakyat remains on the right track.
During the past 50 years or so, the rakyat has been sleeping most of the time and ave allowed the political leaders doing the governing ride roughshod over them.
The 12th GE is an awakening for the rakyat and the politikus, we must continue to be vigilant and not be caught napping ever again and allow governing events of the past half century to resurface again.
We must ensure the government of the day is one that we the rakyat want and we must be vigilant to ensure those allowed to govern, govern the nation in the way the rakyat wants and not allow them to impose on us what the government of the day wants. Only then can Ketuanan Rakyat be a reality.
Ram
April 16, 2008
Sam,
As much as I like these “bits” about Ketuanan Rakyat,I have genuine concerns about PAS and its Islamic state agenda.
Also it will definitely help if Anwar can open his mouth and say that PR will never pursue Islamic state,hudud laws etc.
While I thinks these PAS guys are more honest and not corrupt like UMNO,they must abandon their Islamic state agenda officially and focus on the welfare state agenda.
Then UMNO,MIC,MCA,GERAKAN etc will “bungkus forever’.
Yuzaidi Yusoff
April 16, 2008
Haris
Yes, DSAI was in UMNO. Yes, he has done many wrongs while in UMNO, Yes, he has not done enough to make things right while in UMNO. Yes, he did NOT apologize for all these things he had done and did not do. I sincerely believe with 6 years in prison, the things he had to go through and his family had to go through, have made him a better person. Only the Almighty knows. He is our best bet to date. Like for many ADUNs and MPs that we, the Rakyat, were willing to give a chance, willing to give Pakatan Rakyat a chance, I think we should do the same for DSAI. Having said that, we should keep a very close eye and ear on him too. Zaidie
malayamuda
April 16, 2008
Pas was the Islamic party. UMNO tried to undo it by becoming more Islamic.
Suddenly PAS became more open [ at least it said so ]. It proved by putting non Malays to take part in the GE.
PAS changed it’s game plan mid way, UMNO was caught with it’s pants down…………
Moderator the indie story...
April 16, 2008
Terima Kasih Tuan Lawyer Haris Ibrahim. Teruskan perjuangan anda. Kami akan terus menyokong!
Terima Kasih sekali lagi.
Peace,
Moderator & Crew
Baron Strawberrymunchen
April 16, 2008
More important than which political party or prime minister steers our country is having a society that is political wise and sensitive: a society that actively ensures that social justice is served; that esteems principles and so is less susceptible to political manipulation and deception.
The presence of a freer media and the presence of responsible, socio-political bloggers contributes. These reach out to and educate the masses, help neutralise politically divisive propaganda, and aid the check-and-balance mechanism.
Governments and politicians may be transient, but freedom of expression and the inculcation of a politically savvy society are bedrock.
Hear, hear
tkapple
April 16, 2008
it was a private function,pkr leaders were speaking as guests of honor at rpk wedding aniversary celebration,why police report made (by who?)? AS FOR THE ORGANISERS ,PEOPLE TURN UP FOR RPK INSTEAD !!!
Kevin
April 16, 2008
It is a bit disconcerting to see with how much people support individuals fervently. All the more important that a 2 party system should be in place. Call me skeptical but I have a natural distrust for ALL politicians irregardless of alignment. Especially so when it descends into “good vs bad” morality game and centering around individuals.
“And remember, where you have a concentration of power in a few hands, all too frequently men with the mentality of gangsters get control. History has proven that. All power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are rarely good men.” – Lord Acton
malayamuda
April 16, 2008
seriously though I was not here during the British period, I think Malaysians were not subjected to this kind of humiliation before independance.
We were not detained for no reason, there was freedom of worship, our places of worship were not demolished, our dead bodies were not snatched, we were free to do business, there was lesser racial polarisation, less corruption, meritocracy.
Leaders were not summoned to police station for statements, no such thing as illegal rallies, no black eye, no sodomy, no operasi lalang. The rakyat were not belittled, not kicked, harrased and arrested for no reason.
So what Merdeka is UMNO talking about ?
Now after 50 years of independance from the British, we have to fight these neo colonists who are far more cruel than the British themselves !!
barry
April 16, 2008
In theory, a 2-party system provides the best check-and-balance system of governance. However, look at what we have today as the ‘alternative’ – UMNO! This is a party of thieves who are hell-bent on rewarding themselves at the expense of the rest of the country. Empty of any moral and conscience, they will gladly sell their mothers and daughters for that extra money they can pocket. IMO, if these corrupt people are not brought to justice, then there will continue to be no peace in the land. I truly believe that God (Allah, if you like) hates injustice and corruption; and will not have any of it, if we are to succeed as a nation.
On the other hand, I see people, genuine people like Haris (a true anak bangsa Malaysia you might say) who sacrifice themselves for the country and its (potentially great) future that we have. So, why not? Haris, what say you?
barry,
Thank you.
I will continue to work from the outside as the rakyat’s watchdog.
arianna
April 16, 2008
Dear Haris,
‘Ketuanan Rakyat’…aah, I truly like that sound. Anwar just elevated us rakyat as his boss.
So every time the Pakatan Rakyat ‘menyimpang’, we look at them straight in the eye and cry, ‘Ketuanan Rakyat’!.
Let’s make that a reality and give Anwar and Pakatan Rakyat a chance.
Dear arianna,
No, Anwar did not elevate us rakyat to the position of his boss. He has acknowledged that this is our constitutional position.
Yes, I have come round to giving DSAI and PR a chance.
With us, the rakyat, keeping a watchful eye.
Satria Asia
April 16, 2008
UMNO should disband because this is UMNO Baru, not the original. Semangat 46 is the original UMNO so the UMNO guys should revive Semangat 46 and kill off this UMNO.
mosesfoo
April 16, 2008
By the way that “guy” has mentioned that the “monkey” has gotten off his back after March 8, 2008, has it? Anyone forgotten about his arrogance? I wonder if the rakyat has settled any score with him yet? Hope he doesn’t forget so easily…his turn will come.
Robert Manurung
April 17, 2008
Jayanath
April 17, 2008
Haris,
I am still waiting for DSAI’s response to your letter!
He has to walk the talk before i am persuaded he is the only option.
Jaya