ALL said and done, Anwar Ibrahim has proven many of us wrong by bringing back the vote with a thumping majority in the just-concluded Port Dickson “forced” by-election.

The concerns of urbanites turned out quite unfounded as voters of all backgrounds – Malay, Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli – gave the PM-in-waiting his much needed image boost and sealed his credentials as the de-facto Pakatan Harapan leader.

Voter turnout was slightly higher (58.25% according to the Election Commission) than the below 50% for other recent by-elections, and the rejection of a strong local candidate in the form of former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad, seems to indicate that Malaysians are still, very much party and personality driven, more so than issues or sentiment.

Even if he were to return to Permatang Pauh later, having the Prime Minister as Member of Parliament if only for a single term, sounded too good an offer to refuse.

Detractors of the former deputy prime minister would worry that the next move that would follow, after coming into Parliament, would be for Anwar to make a bid for cabinet. It is, after all, strange to be the only leader of a component party, what more one with the highest number of seats, without as much as a deputy ministership.

Even if Anwar does not make that request, his supporters would likely want that for him.

Uncertainty over leadership could be catastrophic for a young coalition which has only just inherited a 60-year-old government. The elections may have washed away those from the seat of power, but the stain of influence built over the years remains. Hence, the magnanimous affirmation by Anwar that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is still the best person to lead the country for now.

Tun has spent more time in Umno compared to Anwar, and never really left the scene, making him more dependable to weed out problematic civil servants, corporate leaders and those running GLCs and related agencies who may still be loyal to their previous political masters, enough to delay, disrupt or even sabotage the plans of the current government. The concern with Tun’s leadership is only his ability to keep sacrificing for the country at his age, and the lack of a capable successor in his stead.

The succession arrangement the PKR president-elect has with the Bersatu chairman, therefore, augurs well for both these reasons. The question of the “haste” with which Anwar needed to enter Parliament is now academic.

Anwar has mentioned a few times that his focus would be on parliamentary reform. This complements Tun’s role well. Even though there are already committees put in place and several key chairs replaced or vacated, often, the senior to middle management of these organisations are left intact.

In the event where the management, for reasons known best to them, are still loyal or beholden to the previous administration, or their sacked bosses, political will and backing is required to implement the necessary policy, complete an investigation, or make the necessary staff changes.

Some of these institutional reforms were experimented upon under the various Pakatan-held states the past decade. Among them, the recognition of Opposition positions within the government, mostly as checks and balances, such as chairmanship in legislative committees, a paid and funded office of Opposition Leader, the formation and strengthening of bodies promoting transparency and democracy, such as SELCAT.

He could also look at making or unmaking laws that run contrary to Pakatan’s wish for a more open and free country. Institutional reform is important to restore dignity and respect to agencies which should be fair and free. These organisations, in turn, will be empowered to run new government policies, triggering a healthy symbiotic relationship, to undo the damage and toxicity left behind.

This would help Anwar get back into the saddle after twenty years of fighting from the sidelines, to be thrust into mainstream government, and given a chance to both implement the change he has been preaching, and better equip himself for the daunting role awaiting him. – October 17, 2018.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.