How prepared is Anwar the new scout?

 

On May 2, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was made the president of the Scouts Association of Malaysia. I don’t know if Anwar or the association’s officials realise this but the appointment comes at a crucial and, I think, right time.

And I would like to think it has less to do with scouting than with politics.

Let me explain.

There is a lot of talk of a plot to topple Anwar’s administration, of another Sheraton Move or Sheraton-like Move.

Recently, information has been circulating that at least 10 MPs who had previously backed Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin for prime minister after the 15th general election were planning to force by-elections by quitting their parties.

It has been speculated that by quitting their parties, their seats will be vacated under the anti-hopping law.

If this is so, these MPs must have huge egos to think that they will win in by-elections and tip the balance in favour of PN.

But let’s leave that aside. Talk about a plot to overthrow the elected government which calls itself the unity government has been circulating since Anwar became prime minister. The only difference, perhaps, is that it is gaining momentum – the talk, I mean.

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We know that Anwar has many enemies, these include the guys in Bersatu and PAS and some fellows in Umno. One should also not forget his friend-foe-friend-foe Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is gunning for him and his administration.

Anwar’s government depends very much on the benevolence of Umno (and Barisan Nasional), Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak to stay in power. Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan just does not have the numbers to rule on its own.

Right now, it appears that these coalitions are fully backing him but one cannot stop people from speculating. And we must remember that rumours can turn out to be true.

So how is this connected to Anwar being made the president of the scout’s association?

It has to do with the motto of the scout movement: Be Prepared.

Now, I think his new position comes at the right time to remind him to be prepared for any eventuality, including a move to topple his government. I’m sure he is already working on some anti-Sheraton Move moves but the scout’s motto can strengthen his determination.

I read somewhere that when someone asked the founder of the scouts’ movement Robert Baden-Powell what they should be prepared for, he replied: “Why, for any old thing.”

So Anwar should be prepared for any old thing, including the old move of removing an elected government by any means. We haven’t yet seen the last of Malaysia’s version of Game of Thrones.

At the same time, Anwar should seriously consider what Baden-Powell wrote in 1908 in the book “Scouting for Boys” about the meaning of “to Be Prepared”. He said it meant that “you are always in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty”.

As an aside, I’d like to mention that scouting was introduced into the country, in Penang, in 1908 as an experimental troop in the Young Men’s Christian Association or YMCA and that Lord Baden-Powell and his wife visited Penang, Kuala Kangsar, Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur in 1934.

Although I was not a scout, I had schoolmates who were, and I still remember the specially built scouts’ den at the edge of the school field at King Edward VII Secondary School in Taiping. I remember the guys in their neat uniforms with the scarf and whistle and rope.

They were taught discipline and service and to be ready for any eventuality. They were trained to know what was right and to do the right thing at the right time. They were taught not to compromise on their ideals and they were told time and again to help others. They were also taught to be inclusive. All good traits.

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I think Anwar could do with a reminder about these traits so that he will not only be prepared for any eventuality, he will also do the right thing at the right time for the nation and not compromise on ideals for the sake of political expediency.

Anwar must not only be prepared to fight off any attempt to topple his government, he must be prepared to fight those who manipulate Malaysians for political gain and those who prevent reforms – whether they are within or outside his camp.

Most of all, he must be prepared to become a respected statesman and not remain just another politician like Mahathir or Najib Razak or Muhyiddin Yassin. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.