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By Mihar Dias (C) Copyright December 2022
A vote of confidence for Anwar Ibrahim was passed in Parliament on 19 December, as expected.
But it was dampened by a call to sue Agenzianova of Italy, where it published an article entitled "Malaysia: first full-blown homosexual prime minister in an Islamic country”.
While debating the vote of confidence for Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of the opposition Hamzah Zainuddin said “It insults the Prime Minister but stern action has to be taken. The government has the responsibility to inform the whole world that the Prime Minister has been pardoned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong."
He went on to say, “Don’t let the world believe that the Prime Minister of Malaysia is a homosexual. This is an old matter. I urge the PM to sue Agenzianova."
Hamzah recommended that Anwar ought to take action against the report that accused him of homosexuality as it could tarnish the image of the country.
The August house reportedly became tense after Hamzah cited that news report. Then he went to say that Umno had sacked Anwar in 1998 as a Deputy Prime Minister, but now Umno elected him as the Prime Minister.
"UMNO did not want him then now UMNO can accept him", said Hamzah who went on to elaborate that Anwar was also sentenced by the High Court and later pardoned.
The article in question, which some netizens have difficulty accessing, partially quoted below stated that "Anwar Ibrahim, 75, was sworn in [...] as prime minister after trying for almost thirty years to lead the government without ever succeeding."
"[...] the reformist leader is the first to reach the top of an Islamic country after being accused of homosexual relations, suffering two sentences for this. Anwar has in fact been convicted twice for sodomy, which in Malaysia is a crime punishable by up to 20 years' imprisonment."
The article is factual, based mostly on summary of news reports briefly tracing the history of Anwar's alleged homosexual activities that did not ridicule him in any way. Except that the title was indeed attention grabbing.
Hamzah's intention in bringing up that article in the Parliament even though it was published when Anwar had just sworn in by the Agong, is probably meant to alert the premier that he ought to correct the common perception.
On the other hand, to bring that up when the Dewan is about to vote for confidence in Anwar might be badly timed and politically incorrect. Or was it a good Opposition ploy?
Hamzah may even be taunting Anwar to take legal action adding that he should not just focus on suing local publications that smear the latter's name while ignoring foreign ones that do likewise but could be more damaging on his reputation internationally and affect the image of the nation as well.
In my opinion, Hamzah did well in his first maiden speech as an opposition leader and Anwar is comfortable in the driver's seat enjoying a two third majority that was missing from Parliament during the last three administrations.
In sum, the first day of Parliament was really eventful where Anwar was fully affirmed by a resounding majority and Hamzah showed his talent in being an Opposition Leader.
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