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By Mihar Dias Copyright (C) September 2023
The state of Malaysia on this Malaysia Day of 2023 is indeed disheartening.
Anwar Ibrahim's once-promising Reformasi movement has taken a dismal turn.
Former Klang MP Charles Santiago's words ring with a bitter truth as we witness the erosion of our reform agenda and the betrayal of election promises.
The agenda of reformasi has become, stale or reform-basi.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's case, where all 47 charges were dropped, is a glaring example of the rot within our system.
The Attorney-General's Chambers' 11 reasons for this decision seem as flimsy as a house of cards, leaving us to question the transparency and accountability of our justice system.
The lack of transparency is further exemplified by the secrecy surrounding Zahid's 200-page representation paper.
Why is it being kept hidden from the public eye?
Santiago is right. This opacity only fuels suspicions of backroom deals and political manoeuvring. So, it seems to the public at large.
Santiago goes on to say that we should not forget the delayed appeal in the case of Datuk Seri Najib Razak and 1MDB's ex-CEO Arul Kanda Kandasamy.
We are with Santiago when he questioned whether this is pure negligence or an intentional delay to avoid accountability?
The absence of consequences for those responsible for this delay is a slap in the face of justice and perhaps reforms itself now that the champion of reformsi is at the apex of power.
Santiago complains reforms promised by the Pakatan Harapan-led government are now being rolled back, with the Sedition Act 1948, Printing Presses & Publications Act 1984, Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, and the Official Secrets Act 1972 hanging like Damocles' sword over our democratic rights.
The use of police to block farmers and activists from submitting a memorandum to Parliament is a stark reminder of the erosion of democratic space.
What happened to the promises of championing the plight of the common people? Has PMX forgotten the roots of his struggle?
We'll have to wait and see what happens at the Save Malaysia Rally on 16 September. Will the old Anwar’s true colours shine yet again.
Anwar Ibrahim, according to Santiago once the torchbearer of hope for Malaysia, fought tirelessly for a quarter of a century to end corruption and abuse of power through Reformasi movement.
We applaud that.
But now, as we look back, laments Santiago, it's hard to recognize the same principled leader who endured political persecution, humiliation, and imprisonment. Even young Syed Saddiq and Sanusi appear more principled than our Dear Leader of Reformasi.
We yearn for the resurgence of that Anwar, who inspired hundreds of thousands in the pursuit of good governance and accountability, including Sanusi, who claims was willing to face police tear gas in support of Anwar then.
Yet, as Malaysia Day 2023 dawns, it seems that the light of reform has dimmed, and cynicism has taken its place instead. Reformasi is dead!
Bravo Santiago, Sadiq, and Sanusi, you guys keep the movement alive.
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