Anwar - the Freeloader

Anwar Ibrahim has now admitted that not only is he running for the Kajang state assembly seat but he is also in talks to replace the current Menteri Besar of Selangor, Abdul Khalid Ibrahim. “There is that possibility being considered now,” he told foreign media on 7 February. “We do not discount the possibility of a change of guard.”

In coming clean, Anwar has exposed his opportunistic and scheming ways to the Rakyat in what is an affront to Malaysian democracy.

After not even 9 months on the job, PKR assemblyman Lee Chin Cheh quit his mandate without providing his constituents or those who voted for him an adequate reason. The reason is now crystal clear. Anwar wanted Lee’s job so as to steal Khalid’s job. And all for the sole purpose of using Selangor to showcase himself for another run at Putrajaya.

“This is our launch pad,” Anwar said. “This is the richest state, the most effective state, the most popular state and we will showcase how we run through good governance and transparent governance.” It is Putrajaya that Anwar cares about. Not democracy, not the Rakyat and not even his own party allies.

The choice of Selangor is outrageous. Choosing one of the richest states will exposes Anwar as an opportunistic freeloader. If he really wanted to showcase his pedigree, why not choose Kelantan, where he would face tougher challenges of poverty reduction and development?

Proving himself the old fashioned way, by helping the Rakyat rather than furthering his own dying political career, would do a lot more for his stated goal of obtaining the keys to Putrajaya. Instead, Anwar is intent on bolstering his CV by swooping into Selangor and taking the credit for the work of Khalid and numerous others. One has to ask whether there is another motive.

Anwar promised to step down from politics if his coalition lost the general election. He is now wildly justifying his run in Kajang based on economic and racial problems that have forced him to change his mind. But what economic problems is he referring to? The Malaysian economy is expected to grow at over 5% in 2014. Moodys rating agency said on 6 February that, “Good governance in Malaysia will support the economic outlook for the next 18 months”. And surely he cannot possibly be arrogant enough to think he and he alone can solve racial problems.

It is an unquenchable thirst for power that is the driving force behind Anwar’s decision. The Kajang fiasco is setting off alarm bells all over Malaysia. A leader should possess integrity and concern for the Rakyat. Kajang is highlighting once again that Anwar has neither.

By
Datuk Huan Cheng Guan
President
Center For Political Awareness Malaysia