Why Anwar still wins regardless of Sept 16

I remember the last time an opposition leader announced his taking of the government. It was, never.

The worst beating BN ever took was in 1969 where the opposition managed to gather 49 out of 144 seats. But taking into account that Malaysia was formed in 1963 and this was the first ever parliament election where Sabah and Sarawak was included, this doesn’t say much.

Fast forward to 2003, Pak Lah emerges as the prime change that people have been waiting for. With his promises to clean-up corruption and pledge to lead Malaysia to greater heights, the public ate up his words and responded by giving BN a landslide victory of 198 out of 220 seats in the 2004 parliament elections. He brought Terengganu back to the fold and set his eyes on the last opposition strong-hold, Kelantan.

He probably would have succeeded if he had not overlooked 2 factors.

1. While the government has changed facially, it is still as corrupt as before.
2. Anwar Ibrahim, the shining new hope that grows with every mistake the government makes.

When Wan Azizah announced her vacating the seat, many knew what was coming next. Coincidentally, like the boy who cried wolf, someone made claims Anwar was up to his old habits and violated his not-so-secret-garden. Conveniently, police threaten to arrest Anwar which would stop him from standing at the by-elections. It didn’t materialize as the government realized that the public would not fall for the same lie twice. Honestly, if the man really is fond of rear action, I don’t mind. I’d rather trust the nation in the hands of a rear-ender than a puppet of his own cronies.

His win was convincing and the sight of him in parliament was a sight to behold. Being handed the leadership of the opposition coalition, he audaciously proclaimed that by September 16 he would succeed in getting 30 BN parliament members to join the opposition thus giving him the mandate of forming the government.

It doesn’t seem likely that he’ll be able to get 30 seats and it seems highly unlikely a change in government could happen so soon. But regardless, he has shaken the government by its foundations. Ensuring nobody crosses over, a bulk are sent away on a ’study trip’. Political parties within BN are going to NGOs for lists of demands. I’ve even heard a rumor that Anwar will be arrested and charged with sedition. The last time I heard that word used was from the movie ‘V for Vendetta’.

It doesn’t really matter if Pakatan Rakyat gathers enough turncoats. It doesn’t matter if Anwar isn’t made Prime Minister this year. The way he has gotten Najib shaking in his boots is evidence enough that victory for round one belongs to Anwar’s corner. Why Najib and not Pak Lah? Well, we all know who’s running the government now. It’s just that the blame keeps going to the meek Pak Lah.

As a sidenote: It’s funny to see Dr M keep harping at Pak Lah when all the troubles that are happening now all stem from Dr M’s previous administration eg inflated fuel prices, inflation, corruption.