Recently, we were rudely awakened from our political slumber to witness, to our utter horror, revelations upon revelations of political corruption of the highest degree which permeates every sector of society and every aspect of life. We were aghast at the contemptible actions of the government in power - it’s total disregard for human decency; it’s bankrupt morality; it’s penchant for mercilessly raping the nation’s economy; it’ immoral use of everything it can lay it’s hands on to protect the interests of a select few; and worst of all, with sheer arrogance, imploring on all Malaysians to be thankful to it for what is essentially God’s bounties.

As concerned Malaysians, the true patriots, we were therefore exhilarated by the real prospects of voting into power an alternative government in the forthcoming general elections. We were proud of the fact that PAS instantaneously and openly gave it’s support to Saudara Anwar’s cause, notwithstanding how Saudara Anwar had belittled and openly insulted PAS in the previous elections, applied grave financial pressure on the Kelantan State Government in his capacity as Minister of Finance in Mahathir’s Government and even referred to PAS leaders as "jumud". Yet, in the true Islamic tradition of defending the downtrodden and demonstrating the beauty of forgiveness in Islam, the leaders in PAS felt compelled to assist Saudara Anwar in his fight against Injustice; for Islam does not tolerate injustice in any form, to any individual or community and at any level of social strata. We were given much hope when Gerak was mooted and launched. As a Muslim and a Malaysian, I was especially proud that for once, Malaysians from all walks of life, from all races, from all forms of religious persuasions, are able to set their differences aside and come together to formulate a more important and urgent common understanding with regards to what needs to be done to save the country from the suffocating and debilitating grip of a corrupt and autocratic dictator. As Malaysians, we saw a real hope for a better future. We joined the movement, through PAS, PRM, DAP, Adil etc. etc. with great gusto and enthusiasm. We cheered and supported each other’s efforts and we encouraged others to join hands as true Malaysians to support this almost holy cause against the almost unholy Barisan Nasional.

Yes, there was a great hope then. But that was then. Now, with the general elections ever closer, this bright ray of hope has started to lose it’s once compelling allure. It is indeed sad that this rare opportunity that is before us today will fizzle away right before our eyes; just like the proverbial morning mist evaporating with the first light of dawn. Why ?

Why indeed must we jeopardize our real hope of overthrowing the immoral Barisan Nasional by creating dissension amongst us ? Why do we allow selfish sectarian interests to rock the foundations of our earlier resolve ?

The setting up of Parti KeADILan Nasional, while outwardly noble, has created such serious concerns that it has now the dubious distinction of being regarded as the nemesis to its own cause as well as the Achilles heel to the entire Gerak movement. Why do I say this?

• While PKN’s leadership speak of cooperation with the other political parties and NGOs in Gerak, its supporters seem to undermine this by exhibiting a "familiar" arrogance and greed for power (UMNO’s heritage?). For example, even before the Party was launched, PKN’s supporters had already proclaimed that it shall form the alternative government and as such all other opposition political parties must enter the election under it’s banner (this is being argued as necessary ostensibly in the name of unity but in reality smacks of naiveté political greed and intrigue ). PKN’s supporters further demanded that it must be allocated the lion’s share of Parliamentary seats (100?) and State Assembly seats ( for instance 22 in Selangor ?). Is this not unbridled greed and sheer arrogance ? For where are their branches, infrastructure, potential candidates and political workers and machinery to carry out this ambitious lust for power ? Would it not offend the other opposition political parties which have spent enormous efforts in "developing" these areas that the PKN is now interested in ? Doesn’t PKN realize that this is precisely the self indulgent and autocratic practice that it’s so called reformasi movement was established to fight against in the first place? And if this is not an arrogant self proclamation, who bestowed this right of leadership to PKN in the first place ? What happened to the principles expounded in Gerak ?
• Why do I get the uncomfortable feeling that this new party is merely making use of Datin Seri Wan Azizah and her family ? For purposes of illustration, her press conference at the launching of PKN was practically interrupted and "taken over" by her deputy ! The absence of Saudara Anwar in the Party is perplexing and begs a thousand questions which have given vent to a thousand speculations. The answer that has been offered is so lame that it is not worthy of further consideration. Does Saudara Anwar wish to play it safe ? If so, then I would like to repeat the brave statement issued by none other than Saudara Anwar himself at the birth of the reformasi movement - " Jika anda takut akan risiko jangan bicara soal perjuangan " Or could it be that Saudara Anwar is still very much in love with UMNO ? and that this PKN is merely to give his ABIM boys political clout and legitimacy ? Could it be that after so long in the top hierarchy of UMNO, Saudara Anwar has tasted the sweet worldly temptations of high office and the grandeur associated with it and does not wish to let go ? The game then becomes merely one where Saudara Anwar gets back into UMNO as President and his ABIM army through KPN joins the Barisan to help bolster and protect Saudara Anwar’s power base in Government and in return will be rewarded with Ministerial positions in line with existing BN practice. Absolute power is once again the objective ? What happens to RE-FOR-MA-SI ? Only Allah knows and may Allah always guide us Malaysians to make the right decisions and follow the right path.
• PKN’s establishment was rationalized as necessary in order to garner the support from a broader spectrum of society, irrespective of race and religion. But isn’t DAP, PRM and even PAS today multiracial too? And how would PKN handle the accusation by detractors that it is only a reverse mirror image of the DAP i.e. an essentially Malay based political party filled with Abim members with a sprinkling of other races to demonstrate a multiracial legitimacy. Doesn’t Adil serve such a purpose equally well ? After all you don’t have to be a member of a political party to vote !
• PKN has not been able to comfortably deny the allegations that it was created either purely to serve the political ambitions of its "behind-the scene" promoters or designed to split the opposition asunder (or both?). It’s creation appears to be hurried at the behest of certain vested interest when word was out regarding the possibility of Saudara Anwar joining PAS and when the reformasi movement was, with the explicit support of PAS, showing tremendous signs of success. In flew certain personality from "self imposed exile" (read: a cowardly escape) and up popped a new Party. Isn’t this a tad too convenient ? I truly sympathize with the bewildered supporters of reformasi who have bravely faced the rain of acid water, the bludgeons of the police and the wrath of the SBs only to see the cause that they have fought so hard degenerate into a game of power, greed and political opportunism. Were the sacrifices of the OKTs in vain ?
• Why wouldn’t it be sheer greed and political opportunism when demands for seats and representation are about the only thing that is uppermost in their minds ? Were they carried away by the massive crowds that attended their rallies ? Do they honestly believe that the huge crowds that were present in these rallies were solely to show support for KeADILan ? Couldn’t it have been the supporters of the other parties, like PAS and PRM, that have made these rallies what they were ? Or have the KeADILan "powers-that-be" deluded themselves into believing that these huge crowds is proof of their strength alone and they no longer see the need to work with others to rid Malaysia of this damning tyranny ? Or were these "powers-that-be" in KeADILan so naïve as to believe that support for them in the next election is a forgone conclusion when their plan of action, list of candidates, political machinery and their capabilities are hardly established and largely unknown ? Yet, at the same time, they continue to bask on the same platforms organized by DAP, PRM and PAS !

I wish, in the name of Allah, the Almighty and the Most Compassionate, that I am wrong in perceiving the situation as above and I call upon all Malaysians, from all walks of life, from all manner of religious persuasions to ponder and reflect yet again on all the events that have unfolded before us and DEMAND that ALL political parties through which we wish to channel our respective efforts, to sit down together with mutual respect and develop a WINNING FORMULA in the next general elections by giving due recognition to each party’s strength in each area to be contested. Let us not allow narrow sectarian interests or the personal ambitions of a few or the political manipulations of certain groups to deny or rob us of a fair chance for victory.

It is indeed amazing that DAP, PRM and PAS have not reacted with bitterness and rancor to the shenanigans played out by the over zealous PKN supporters. It speaks volumes for their political maturity. And perhaps, just like us ordinary Malaysians, the leadership of PAS, PRM and DAP are still holding out, hoping upon hope, that sanity will eventually prevail and some cooperation might still be eked out to save this nation.

mujahid@freedomlover.com