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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright January 2023
When Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim said Anwar's reputation might be affected by his continued cooperation with BN under Zahid's leadership and Ramasamy the Deputy CM of Penang termed the UMNO president as a thorn for PH and the government, a question that automatically comes to mind is, why not drop him then?
It is not an easy question to answer even more difficult to put any decision made, into action, for Anwar's fragile government.
Option 1
If a decision was made to drop Zahid, Anwar's government may fall but even if it did not the government's majority in Parliament might be reduced by as many as 30 seats because the BN leader will ultimately lead his MPs out of the coalition.
Chances are this will definitely limit Anwar's ability to implement major plans that require the mandatory two-third majority support from the Dewan Rakyat.
Option 2
Make Zahid go on leave as DPM to sort out his court cases and return upon proving his innocence. It might take a few years from what we saw in his first case which involved 47 charges that are now being appealed by the prosecution after his acquittal late last year. Then there are 40 more charges that are still ongoing in court. This option may keep all BN MPs in the coalition provided Zahid retains his presidency in UMNO. But PH may find the way Zahid goes about doing so as unsavory.
Option 3
Do nothing keep to status quo, live with the albatross around Anwar's neck. This is an option that started this deliberation. While Anwar may be able to keep his premiership and government intact the poor image, toxicity surrounding his indirect tolerance of Zahid's antics and becoming more of a thorn in PH's side will continue to irritate the supporters.
When Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim said Anwar's reputation might be affected by his cooperation with BN under Zahid's leadership it conjures up an image that the latter seems to be like a virus. And this is becoming a reality with criticisms coming from everywhere.
The toxicity may erode PH's image in the eyes of the public and tarnish PKR's reformation agenda with Zahid facing court cases over numerous corruption allegations.
“In my opinion, Barisan Nasional (BN)-Umno is from a corrupted group that breach trust and can be seen as a virus infecting the Prime Minister, PKR and PH. There is no vaccine to cure this toxic poison. The end path may be death,” he said in a Facebook post reported by Sinar Daily.
Similarly, Penang Deputy CM Ramasamy visualized Zahid as a 'burden' not only to his party, but also to PH and Anwar's government.
On his Facebook page, Ramasamy criticised a decision made to approve a motion not to contest the post of UMNO's president and deputy is seen as a thorn for PH and the government. (Sinar Daily)
Hassan explained, Anwar's desire to create an administration that has integrity is approved and trusted by the people, cannot be fulfilled.
“In a sense, Anwar's commitment to bring good governance in the government administration is not doubted by the people... But the reality that exist today is not that same beautiful dream...This is Anwar's dilemma. Refusal to cooperate with BN-Umno led by Zahid means Anwar's government will fall. Anwar loses his position. PH loses the government. Many people will celebrate,” Hassan stated.
He added that even if the Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled Zahid as innocent and then released, some people would still blame and accuse Anwar of interfering in the decision.
However, he argued the actual situation might be that Anwar did not interfere at all in the court's affairs based on his promise to let the judiciary function indepebdently but the PM's reputation would stil be affected by whatever happened [because of negative perception].
That he concluded is Anwar's dilemma for being close to Zahid.
Now do you see how difficult and what a dilemma it is for Anwar to live with or without Zahid?
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