An open letter to Anwar Ibrahim

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 29 Jun 2020 7:00PM · 16 Comments

DEAR Sir,

Assalamualaikum and Selamat Sejahtera,

I am writing to you to express to you my support and admiration to your leadership and idealism.

From my personal admiration and appreciation of your continuous struggle for more than 20 years, fighting in the name of justice and reform, I would humbly ask you to allow me to forward to you the following points of view of mine for your kind consideration.

There is no doubt that the electoral success of Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the last general election was a fruit of the years of struggle and effort from the heyday of 1998 up to the formation of Pakatan Rakyat and subsequently PH.

It is also due to your belief that you should not underestimate the wisdom of the masses, the Malaysian people at large.

The infamous Sheraton Move will in hindsight remain a black mark in Malaysia’s political history.

While we should treat it as a lesson to all, the incident certainly is a heavy test for your leadership and character.

It is also fair to say, it is actually a blessing in disguise: the traitors in PKR have exited the party, which can now move forward with some stronger discipline within its ranks.

The remaining traitors will have to leave sooner or later.

I have been following the latest debacle on who PH should choose as its candidate for prime minister closely, should the coalition return to power.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad mooted Mohd Shafie Apdal as a candidate for the top job. In the minds of many Malaysians, including myself, we are sincerely tired of Dr Mahathir and his antics.

The leadership in Amanah and DAP should ask themselves for how long they are willing to be taken for a ride by Dr Mahathir.

There needs to be a stop to the circus he created, as there many issues that are affecting the economy and the well-being of the country is at stake now.

While many Malaysians and myself would want you to lead us as prime minister of our beloved nation, most of us are a bit doubtful about the materialisation of that dream of ours for now.

Partly, due to the current political circumstances of PH component parties: Amanah, DAP, Warisan of Sabah and the Mahathir 5.

Which brings me to my next point, with this temporary reality in mind and your vision for reforms to be implemented, I do strongly believe there is a need for you to think about a new sacrifice from your side to save Malaysia and the Reformasi cause

It is known that evils are not of the same degree of gravity; rather, some evils are graver.

Evils and harms must be eliminated or avoided for as long as possible, based on the well-known Fiqh principles: “Harm must be eliminated” and “There should be neither harm nor reciprocal harm.”

However, if either evils cannot be eliminated or avoided and there is no other way but to choose one of two evils, then you should opt for the lesser of the two.

The graver evil must be eliminated or avoided, while enduring the lesser in such a case.

Similarly, given the situation today that Malaysia is in, you are put in a position that you have to make a choice.

It is right for you and PKR to throw your support behind Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin over Dr Mahathir in applying the principles above.

It is apt for you to apply a similar approach as Rached Ghannouchi of Tunisia in 2011, willing to co-operate in governing and implementing reforms.

You may also relate to Prabowo Subianto, your fellow rising star in the echelons of power in Southeast Asia in the 90s, where Prabowo and his party Gerindra joined the Jokowi administration after battling for the top job for years.

Dr Mahathir has created a circus out of DAP, Amanah and Warisan, but PKR and yourself should not be part of it anymore.

Based on the matters mentioned above, you and PKR should co-operate and throw your support behind Muhyiddin and demand to be deputy prime minister in his cabinet.

Primarily, because Malaysia is in terrible need of political stability to steer the country through the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic downturn/recession as a consequence thereof.

With PKR and yourself in government, the party shall be able to play an effective role in governing in these testing times of our nation and also be able to implement reforms.

Make no mistake, deputy to Muhyiddin is not similar to that of Dr Mahathir.

You and Muhyiddin go way back to the Team Wawasan days in Umno and are of the same age.

In fact, you have both showed how mature and wise you both are in being able to sit together in a meeting during the movement control order.

It is time for you and Muhyiddin to steer this nation forward together as one.

This partnership is best fit to define and create a new dynamic leadership for what appears to be a Malaysia in transition, as you both have the right governing experience during your years in the Umno-led government, and also the dark and lowest point of your careers of being sacked from the No. 2 job in government.

This partnership will be able to open a new chapter, putting away the Dr Mahathir years and at the same time creating the pathway for a new generation of Malaysian political leadership comprising the likes of Rafizi Ramli, Wong Chen, Khairy Jamaluddin, Nurul Izzah and many more.

What PKR and you offer is what is badly needed by the administration in place currently.

PKR is a multiracial and dynamic party free of the infamous Kartel baggage. PKR brings together a diverse pool of talent in its ranks of 38 MPs:

Wong Chen, well versed in the economy

Chang Lih Kang, a young and promising Chinese leader

Larry Sng, an experienced hand having served in the Sarawak administration at a young age

Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, a senior, able politician and diplomat

Sim Tze Tzin and Muhammad Bakhtiar, who were fairly good performers as deputy ministers

William Leong and Sivarasa Rasiah, experienced hands who may offer a lot to implement legal and administrative reforms

Fahmi Fadzil, Nik Nazmi and Akmal Nasir, young and dynamic leaders who will offer many new policy and ideas.

There are many more amongst PKR with experienced legislators in the likes of Dr Michael Teo, Dr Xavier Jayakumar and Fuziah Salleh, to name but a few.

The partnership and co-operation of this nature between you and Muhyiddin is what is needed to put a stop to the never-ending politicking of Dr Mahathir. 

With a proper co-operation and unity with Muhyiddin, PKR, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS), Umno, PAS and Sabah based parties like Warisan, Star, PBRS others, the current administration may implement the proper rule of law by letting the judiciary rule without fear or favour towards the cases involving Najib Razak in 1MDB and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

This would enable the administration to continue to work with representatives from Umno in particular, who are free from pending criminal cases.

This co-operation is what the nation direly needs at this juncture: able hands to steer the nation.

Surely the co-operation is conditional, with the removal of the traitors with your party from the current administration.

Not just that, it is timely for PKR to grow to stand on its own one day, free of the baggage from DAP and Amanah especially during the 22 months in government; and free of the dictation and grip of Dr Mahathir.

As I have said before, the majority of Malaysians are just tired and fed up of him.

PKR will be able to maintain its goal for reform and the rakyat, instead of being accused of the never-ending pursuit of the premiership for one man.

This is the right step taken to protect and preserve the interests and well-being of many Malaysians – be it the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Dayaks, Melanaus, Kadazans and Muruts badly affected by Covid-19.

You can’t underestimate the wisdom of the masses, which would appreciate your move in doing what is best for the country and putting an end to the politicking of Dr Mahathir.

While there is no denying your involvement and achievements in Malaysia’s success during your years in government in the 80s and 90s, you have only been given the chance to be known as an opposition leader to many people from younger generations.

What is much needed right now is deliverables and you are best positioned to address the issues involving the economy, governance, Malay/Bumiputera well-being and population at large by being in government not the opposition.

Sir, the year 2020 should be a repeat of your 1982 where you made a pragmatic decision in your political career.

You were able to implement your vision and idealism. For which we shall not underestimate the wisdom of the masses, who are tired of politicking and would want to see results and deliverables for the betterment of our beloved Malaysia.

Please consider this as a way to move forward and means to achieve the top job one day in the remaining years of your political career.

While I continue to hope Malaysia will survive and move forward, I pray to the Almighty to bestow upon you good health, longevity and wisdom.

Thank you for your time and indulgence in reading this. – June 29, 2020.

* Nasaruddin Ismail Yusof reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.

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Comments

  • Stupid and Spineless way is to work with traitor Muhyiddin.

    Posted 3 years ago by Penganalisa L · Reply

  • Indirectly the writer is asking DSAI to join the UMNO and PAS which Muhyiddin is now working closely with. This is the greatest joke as it is completely against the principles of reformarsi movement. What is the writer up to?

    Posted 3 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • crap....
    wasted my time reading this...

    Posted 3 years ago by KNN ... · Reply

  • Azmin Ali mau taroh mana brader Nasaruddin?

    Posted 3 years ago by J R · Reply

  • Utterly disgusting piece of advice. How you expect to work with traitors. Traitors are despicable act and their acts should not be condone. It is like in Malaysian army and suddenly your rakan seperjuangan shoot you at the back and now they claimed to work for the enemies. Can you accept such people? The Commander of the army will court martial them to death with such treacherous act. It is like a football team and your team member shot a goal back to his own side for the shake of money. Even in business world or your corporate life, you don't expect your colleague to sell out company secret that might harm your rice bowl. It is like Judas betraying Jesus. He later hanged himself for the treachery he committed. Treachery act must be despised in Malaysian society and this type of acts should not be encourage in the young mind of Malaysian. Young malaysian should be thought of loyalty, dedication and hard work. Like the story of Hang Tuah and the treacherous friend, Hang Jebat. The wakil rakyat are elected by the rskyat to realise the mandate of rakyat. It is treacherous to switch sides and abandoning the rakyat mandate. If the wakil rakyat find that he cannot work with the party he or she is in. Do the honourable thing, Resign and ask for a new election so that a new wakil rakyat to be chosen by the rskyat. Or else bear with the party untill end of term then switch side. This is honourable way.
    Best is Khaled Samad be the PM as he is the only best "young" and fresh face in this pm race. DPM can be Shafie of warisan. The elderly politician can side step and let the junior leaders lead the country out from the storm

    Posted 3 years ago by Xarifa Lee · Reply

  • Where did this writer come from...Principles are principles...no compromise.

    Posted 3 years ago by Harit das · Reply

  • Dear Anwar,

    Please do not listed to this idiotic , moronic , imbecile , septic tank cleaner , Nasaruddin Ismail Yusof, ( a likely Std 6 graduate )

    PKR , DAP , AMANAH will be the best combination.

    DAP has the best MPs , talented and highly educated. You cannot go wrong. The more DAP MPs you have in the cabinet , them more likely Malaysia will be as successful as Singapore.

    Penang as the most successful state is a clear proof of the success of DAP.

    The reason Mooyhiddin got spooked is the lack of the ability to steal and plunder money from the Nation's coffer.

    You must have more NON-MALAYS in the cabinet.

    If you look at the success of UK , Australia NZ and US - it is because of the Indians and Chinese. It is in their DNA to be successful.

    Look at Kelantan , Perlis and Terrggannu - fail states because of Malay Muslims only and no women as state excos.

    Posted 3 years ago by Aran Thillainathan · Reply

  • Ridiculous article. Anwar has failed to govern his own party so how can he govern the country. The coup was also the result of his failure to keep discipline within PKR.

    Posted 3 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • With DSAI throwing support behind Moo and able to get those crooks in jail then I won't be hesitated to accept it. Will that happen?

    Posted 3 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • No to traitors....period in any dire straits of a country. This nation needs honest, forward thinking and liberal leaders not one in and out of coconut shells....it's time thief's and traitors must be nurtured. We are a multi racial society and leaders need this thinking mindset not just a singular racial path .... UMNO was the cause I where we are today and this must stop. Malaysia belongs to it's people and we need this assurance from new leaders not Malay and Muslim 1st thinking....

    Posted 3 years ago by Crishan Veera · Reply

  • What type of mental gymnastics and utter bulls**t is this to ally yourself with the very people who made the Sheraton Move? If Anwar does so, then he would have made the same grave mistake as the Kajang Move years ago gave an opening to Azmin to rise. All the problems and issues today are due to Anwar making poor decisions years ago as the Opposition Leader from 2008-2015.

    Posted 3 years ago by SK G · Reply

  • I challenge DSAI to go against his own principles and see how he would face the Rakyat who have fought alongside with him for so many years.

    Posted 3 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Sad when you see someone who writes so eloquently but does not seem to understand what is right and wrong. That is the biggest threat to the Malay community.

    Posted 3 years ago by T E · Reply

    • Indeed!

      Posted 3 years ago by SK G · Reply

  • If Najib had already succeeded in stealing the nation's money, Malaysia actually deserved the punishment for having its own lousy laws for the management of the Malaysian government. Mahathir must stop blaming Najib and calling him a thief. In fact Mahathir should be giving praises to Najid for having been clever enough to steal from the nation's wealth.

    Posted 3 years ago by Wit Ness · Reply

  • If Najib had already succeeded in stealing the nation's money, Malaysia actually deserved the punishment for having its own lousy laws for the management of the Malaysian government. Mahathir must stop blaming Najib and calling him a thief. In fact Mahathir should be giving praises to Najib for having been clever enough to steal from the nation's wealth.

    Posted 3 years ago by Wit Ness · Reply