In her recent statement defending her father’s iconic “reformasi” battle cry, Nurul Izzah Anwar, dubbed “Puteri Reformasi”, claimed that the reform agenda is not dead yet.
Some cynics, however, crudely argue that “reformasi” may not be dead, but it is not alive either!
Let us give Nurul Izzah the benefit of the doubt. Let us assume that her claim that the reform agenda is not dead yet bears some truth. Who then bears the burden of proof to show the reform agenda is very much alive?
At the end of the day, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Nurul Izzah asserted that meaningful change has no shortcuts. She also contended that the reform agenda demands patience and perseverance to be fully realised.
No one disputes such an assertion. Nevertheless, she has to acknowledge at least this fact as well - more often than not, some decisions made by the Madani government are clearly inimical to the reform agenda, at least the real and genuine reform agenda.
A wrong start
How on earth can she convince the thinking people that “reformasi” is not dead when it is crystal clear from day one that her father, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, had no qualms in appointing Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who faced 47 corruption charges, as his deputy?
Definitely, this is not a good start to reform. In fact, the decision had sent a confusing message.
Critics ridiculed her father’s bewildering decision and, in turn, posted this question: Is this a political reform or political survivability?
Some even went the extra mile by arguing that any politician who is depending on something for his or her political survival may face an uphill task to execute genuine reforms.
Hence, they argue, people should never pin their hope on such a leader.
What about Azam?
Many quarters have also demanded that Nurul Izzah explain the decision of the Madani government to retain the current MACC chief commissioner, Azam Baki.
Not only was he surprisingly retained after the general election, but the government has also extended his contract after its expiry.
It’s not rocket science to easily comprehend this elementary fact - whoever helms an important agency like MACC must not only be clean but must be seen to be clean in order to inspire the necessary confidence.
Who can easily forget Rafizi Ramli’s stern warnings on Azam during the general election? Who can also easily forget his embroilment in a share trading controversy, which was the subject of at least two investigations in the past?
Did Nurul Izzah voice her objections to these mind-boggling issues in the past?
Nurul Izzah was definitely right when she lamented that reforms take time to be realised, but I still vividly remember when Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his team were very determined to introduce and carry out reforms during his second tenure as prime minister.
Although he never shouted the word “reformasi”, there were many parties, including some leaders in PKR, who happily ridiculed Mahathir and his dedicated team.
Anyway, the ball is your court now, Nurul Izzah, to prove that “reformasi” is not only not dead, but does not ring hollow as well. Good luck, Puteri Reformasi. - Mkini
HANIPA MAIDIN is a former deputy law minister.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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