Anwar: Malaysia's JFK

I'm gradually convinced Anwar is going to be a great leader. He speaks out on issues that matter most to Malaysians, reacting at the right time and providing practical solutions.

As a once ago naive die-hard government supporter... I am increasingly seeing the potential Kennedy-Reagan-Clinton leadership style in a prime-ministerial role.

Here is an insightful look at the leader as reported by Malaysiakini-the news portal that rocks.

Anwar tells PM: Negligence is greater threat
Terence Netto | Dec 27, 07 1:25pm

Malaysia is in greater danger from the negligence of those in power than from the rage felt by its recalcitrants, said PKR's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

"Our society is in greater danger from executive negligence than from the extremism of its recalcitrants,” he said in an immediate response to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Christmas Day strictures on religious extremism.

On Dec 25, Abdullah had taken the opportunity of his attendance at the Christmas Day tea party, jointly organised by the Christian Federation of Malaysia and Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Murphy Packiam, to inveigh against religious extremisn.

The prime minister called on moderates in Malaysia to speak up to pre-empt fanatics from taking centre stage.

This drew an immediate riposte from Anwar, who with his wife Wan Azizah, also attended the tea party at the invitation of Archbishop Packiam.

"On the birth celebration of the Prince of Peace, it is right and fitting to remind every citizen of his or her value as a channel of peace, moderation and tolerance,” said Anwar, who also former deputy prime minister.

"But bear in mind that peace is not just the absence of conflict; it is the presence of justice. Where there is little or no justice, there will be a deficit in peace."

Anwar’s advice to PM

Anwar observed that Christian social teaching held peace and justice to be obverse sides of the same coin.

Of Abdullah's strictures on extremism, Anwar opined: "He is a purveyor of platitudes. He keeps his counsel when he ought to speak up.

“When he does speak up, he mouths pious platitudes which are about as useful as buying an umbrella after it has started to rain."

Anwar offered this piece of advice to the prime minister: “Look to the causes of disorder and not its symptoms, just don't treat the bark when the roots need remedy, reach for the panacea and not be satisfied with the placebo."

An Old Favorite Hit

Here's one that human mummies and daddies grew up with ... I loved The Seekers' songs so much that I eventually found and purchased their original cassette (No cds then) overseas in the 1980s.

It's a song that's just as meaningful as ever to all citizens of the world who cherish humanity. Personally, my favorite is The Carnival is Over amongst many others such as Georgy Girl, Morning Town Ride and Turn! Turn! Turn!. Listen to them-you'll love this Aussie folk group.

This song is also dedicated to ex-Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as he arrives at his next station in his political life at High Noon on Thursday. What he will do on that day is anyone's guess.... Whatever we may think of him and his past political errors while in the government (Such as cordoning ISA, etc.), here is obviously a guy with guts, balls or whatever. Though I am not in his party, I have full empathy for the guy in his quest for justice. What he decides to do when the hour arrives will nevertheless reinforce our respect for this repented statesman of epic proportions.

The "Malaysian Conspiracy" Video

Left: Malaysiakini info on Who's Who discussed in the conversation (Click to enlarge).
The video below is from YouTube, courtesy of Malaysiakini and the Bar Council. It shows controversial Malaysian lawyer Lingam talking with the aid of a handphone to allegedly Chief Justice Ahmad....

Once again, Malaysia, you are in the eyes of the world for the wrong reasons. Malaysians, show what honesty, courage and pure justice is without perversion to the world.