| Reading Harakahdaily's report on November 1 about the former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin's view that an opposition without the "veterans" would ensure a more "viable" opposition, I could not help but wonder whether there are any honest, non-partisan leaders left in this country. I am no fan of Anwar Ibrahim. Alas, I have many other candidates for prime minister. As much as I detest his politics, like Asri, I do not think he should be retiring simply because he failed to excite the young Asri and to give something different everyday to the Malaysian audience. Asri seems to be targetting solely on Anwar, and this personal hatred of Anwar seems to have failed to be concealed within the 'careful' arrangement of polite terminology that accompanied the remarks. Asri, for one, has failed to name many other so-called 'veterans', but singled out Anwar. Why? Surely, even for cosmetic sake, one could throw a few more names? Asri is entitled to his personal views about anyone. If Asri thinks that the opposition supporters should applaud him over whatever he says, then Asri is bordering on naivety. This is especially so when one appreciates the fact that Asri himself is no angel when it comes to political objectivity. And thinking further, I dare say that this has got something to do with his special relationship with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, for whom Asri holds in high regard. This brings a question: has Asri ever spoken out against the sodomy allegations involving Anwar? What does Asri, as an ordinary Muslim - never mind whether he is a former Mufti or an Islamic PhD holder - think about this whole sodomy saga? Why I am asking this is because anyone with an inkling of doubt about Anwar's innocence in this whole saga would definitely not want Anwar in the opposition or in government. And to me, anyone who doubts Anwar's innocence despite all the idiotic things going in the courtroom, should re-examine his or her faith. Otherwise, I fail to understand why Anwar's seniority and "veteranship" in politics - the reason given by Asri - must be an excuse for him to depart from the political scene. |
| Reading Harakahdaily's report on November 1 about the former Perlis mufti Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin's view that an opposition without the "veterans" would ensure a more "viable" opposition, I could not help but wonder whether there are any honest, non-partisan leaders left in this country. I am no fan of Anwar Ibrahim. Alas, I have many other candidates for prime minister. As much as I detest his politics, like Asri, I do not think he should be retiring simply because he failed to excite the young Asri and to give something different everyday to the Malaysian audience. Asri seems to be targetting solely on Anwar, and this personal hatred of Anwar seems to have failed to be concealed within the 'careful' arrangement of polite terminology that accompanied the remarks. Asri, for one, has failed to name many other so-called 'veterans', but singled out Anwar. Why? Surely, even for cosmetic sake, one could throw a few more names? Asri is entitled to his personal views about anyone. If Asri thinks that the opposition supporters should applaud him over whatever he says, then Asri is bordering on naivety. This is especially so when one appreciates the fact that Asri himself is no angel when it comes to political objectivity. And thinking further, I dare say that this has got something to do with his special relationship with Dr Mahathir Mohamad, for whom Asri holds in high regard. This brings a question: has Asri ever spoken out against the sodomy allegations involving Anwar? What does Asri, as an ordinary Muslim - never mind whether he is a former Mufti or an Islamic PhD holder - think about this whole sodomy saga? Why I am asking this is because anyone with an inkling of doubt about Anwar's innocence in this whole saga would definitely not want Anwar in the opposition or in government. And to me, anyone who doubts Anwar's innocence despite all the idiotic things going in the courtroom, should re-examine his or her faith. Otherwise, I fail to understand why Anwar's seniority and "veteranship" in politics - the reason given by Asri - must be an excuse for him to depart from the political scene. |
