ANWAR’S COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION (EPITAPH IX)

Umar Mukhtar

Anwar has been busy preparing his Court of Public Opinion to whom he will switch allegiance to if the Federal Court rejects his final appeal on the 29th October. His defence is the same as his sworn statement from the dock - denial, denial and conspiracy by those who want him out of the scene.

The Court of Public Opinion may not be a formal arbitration forum with proofs, procedures and evidence that may be cross-examined in an orderly fashion, but it does not mean that it is less tough to convince. A vigorous defence is still necessary. The public may decide on the wrong basis but nevertheless to the overwhelming majority common sense still prevail.

The legitimate way for the public to enforce its opinion is to vote out the government of the day at the general elections. But if Anwar has his way, he wants the public to go to the streets screaming or to initiiate other extra-judicial measures. As if the public are idiots and that Anwar’s ascendency to prime ministership is paramount in their daily lives.

What does it take for the public to abandon law and order to save Anwar’s ass?

A little bird whispers a common wisdom – mount a vigorous defence to change the mind of the common man who has life’s immediate responsibilities like feeding and educating his children. Social justice is important too but let’s not cut your nose to spite your face especially if there is a less chaotic and destructive way of achieving it.

The little bird says if Anwar do these three things, it will fly with Anwar:-

First, sue those people who defame him as a sodomist. If Anwar does not trust the Malaysian judiciary, it seems that those people are willing to repeat them in London. While at it, Anwar should also apply to expunge the Federal Court statements that it is of the opinion that Anwar is gay as contained in the 2006 judgement that released him. Win or lose is yet to be seen but courage or reluctance to sue means a lot to the ordinary man.

Second, for whatever it is worth, swear on the Koran that you are innocent of the charges. It may not be the Islamic way, but people will take note that fear of lightnings doesn’t deter an innocent man. Do it the proper way and it goes a long way to the ordinary man. True or false is secondary, every little help counts.

Third, get those tapes that purportedly depict Anwar as an immoral person and send them to internationally renown experts to certify their authencity or otherwise. It’s not rocket science to find out. The ordinary man will sympathise with Anwar if his powerful enemies go to that extent to paint such a picture of him.

Anwar has not done any of these but would rather inconvenience and encumber the public to believe him headlong. And this is after the September 16 debacle and 40,000 Bangladeshi phantom voters supposedly flown in to defeat him. Liar, liar pants on fire!

Change the government by all means at the next general elections but not now on account of Anwar’s libido and misplaced ambitions.