In an interview with Malaysiakini, Anwar Ibrahim who was formerly, in turn, an Education Minister, Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, related his metamorphosis from UMNO nationalist to multi-ethnic political reformist. He explained how he initially supported the NEP but gradually transformed into a caring leader with multi-racial perspective.
I wonder when his transformation began. Was it after he was chucked out of UMNO? Anyway, this was what he said:
“Of course, I supported the NEP in 1970 when I was 19. At that time, I saw that the Malays were so insecure. I saw that in my peers at the university. With the very few exceptions among the children of the bureaucrats, nobody had any success. So, the NEP was fair.”
“But then things have changed ... not that Malaysia has done exceptionally better but we have tried. We had been successful in some things like social mobility, education standard and scholarships, but here we have to make some amends.”
And he gave an example of his attitudinal transformation.
“I always recite this good example based on my experience in Penang where I met a 19-year-old Chinese girl who scored 9A1s but failed to get a place in the local university. We told her: ‘Sorry, this was the policy and that the quota had been met’.”
Though it's heartbreaking, to be frank, it's not entirely an unusual response from government officials for such cases, except perhaps in Anwar's version, there was a 'sorry' in it.
He continued: “But what about this poor girl whose father is a petty trader and can't afford to send her overseas? This is the basic principle of justice that should transcend race. We as Muslims must actually appreciate this more because we talk about justice irrespective of race. By doing this, I don't mean that I am willingly sacrificing the poor Malays.”
So, 'This is the basic principle of justice that should transcend race'.
What does that say about him when he was in power? Does confessing that automatically absolve him from his lack of good leadership and care? Would he would have say all these to Malaysiakini if he had became PM in late 1998 (or early 1999)?
To him I would say “Datuk, you were then Education Minister, Finance Minister and DPM. You could have done a world of difference for that girl, but you did nothing, zilch, kosong. Your words today, only after being expelled from UNMO, are too little too late.”
Please lah, we don't want his crocodile tears.
That is the reason why I have high respect for Tun Musa Hitam. When he lost the leadership tussle, he quietly retreat to become an ordinary UMNO member. He does not beat his chest and form a new political party as in Tengku Razaleigh or Annuar Ibrahim. At least he has some principle - differences with the man but not with the party. Others are upset because they cannot be the leader - not sure fighting for what the party stand for or for himself. In Annuar's case probably understandable. Even Tun Mahathir has lost his moral authority with his personal attack on Badawi and lending himself to be used by the opposition.
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