Exposing Anwar — Ezam-style

Exposing Anwar — Ezam-style
2 Aug, 2008

By Wan Hamidi Hamid
Political Editor, The Malaysian Insider

All he wants to do is expose the political antics of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim whom he described as nothing more than a very ambitious politician who will stop at nothing to become prime minister.

Ezam Mohd Nor is offering himself to Umno to become the candidate for the Barisan Nasional in the coming Permatang Pauh by-election.

As Anwar's former confidante and Parti Keadilan Rakyat rebel rouser, the former party Youth chief believes he has the capability to turn over those who were converted to his ex-boss' politics of charms.

"Anwar has betrayed himself and the very people who support him. He was a strong advocate of the New Economic Policy, now he wants to abolish it. Granted there are corrupt politicians but why should we abolish the NEP which is the basis of our constitutional rights?

"Anwar also tried to dilute Islam whereas he proclaimed himself to be a champion of the religion. Why? Because he wanted to have the non-Malay support, and well, he got it in the last general election," Ezam told The Malaysian Insider.

However, the 41-year-old Ezam claimed that the PKR de facto chief changed his stance again when he began to court the Malays after the election, knowing that despite the opposition's victory, the Malays were still loyal to Umno.

This dirty political game must stop if we're all serious about reforming the country and improving our livelihood, and not for anyone's personal agenda, he added.

"Even if Umno doesn't want me as the candidate for Permatang Pauh, I'm willing to be at the constituency day and night to campaign for BN as well as to strip Anwar of his populist claims," he said.

The Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat is vacant after the resignation of its three-term MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Ismail, also PKR president, to make way for her husband to contest.

With rumours of his alleged imminent arrest and be charged for sodomy allegation, the former deputy prime minister pre-empted the authorities by whipping up an election fever. Already popular with the masses with his nationwide roadshow, the by-election is seen by some people as an attempt to put aside the possible court case.

With no action from authorities till today, Anwar supporters begin to feel that there may not even be a case for them to prosecute. With strong support from PKR's allies Pas and DAP, the election momentum has been solidly built for the past few weeks.

But Ezam is unfazed with the fanfare. "If I contest I'm going to be the underdog. I know it's difficult to unseat Anwar in his former constituency. But it's not about winning or losing. It's having the opportunity to face Anwar and to tell the voters that they have been duped by the very man they revered."

Would the investigations into the sodomy allegation help BN to regain the parliamentary seat?

"It's a different issue. For me, both Anwar and his accuser (Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan) are innocent until proven guilty. I never say Anwar is guilty but I hope his supporters including people like (Datuk) Nik Aziz Nik Mat (Pas spiritual leader) should stop calling the case a conspiracy as if Saiful is already guilty.

"If you notice, Anwar doesn't talk much about Saiful. Actually it's just a case between him and Saiful who claimed that Anwar had victimised him. But Anwar would rather tell his supporters that it is a battle between him and the government. He must always be seen as a great man."

Ezam too thought Anwar was a great reformer some 15 years ago, prompting him to join Umno in the hope that there would be a serious reform for the country. After Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad sacked Anwar in 1998 and subsequently jailed him, Ezam's name was synonymous with street demonstrations demanding the release of Anwar.

After some time including a stint in jail and embroiled in internal politics, Ezam left the party last year. It was also the time that Anwar wanted to make a political comeback but failed because the law still barred him form holding any position or contesting elections until May this year.

It was the political tsunami of the March 8 general election that Anwar is accepted not only by his party but also the more senior opposition parties Pas and DAP as the de facto leader. And three months ago Ezam rejoined Umno.

"Anwar has gone overboard. He crossed the line and lost the statesmanship. Anwar lost all these in his pursuit for power.

"People are not stupid. Even Pas leaders have realised that. I know there are a lot of resentment against Anwar and PKR especially in Selangor where the party is governing," he said.

For him, joining Umno at a time when the party and its leaders are struggling over the negative perception about the government is a challenge.

Still committed to the struggle for reform, the man who has lodged a number of reports to the police and Anti-Corruption Agency against several ministers said the Abdullah administration had provided some space for reform.

"The ACA is now independent and has prosecution power. Even Anwar couldn't do that when he was in power. When I met Pak Lah I asked him whether he was serious about combating corruption, he said 'Yes. I won't be long (as PM) but I want to do something good for the country'. That's what the PM told me

"I know some people have accused Pak Lah of being politically weak but I see a strong resolve in that man. He is serious about fighting corruption. I might be wrong about the PM but at least he gives me the space to do something right for the country," he said.

He also said Abdullah had given him the mandate to monitor Umno elections, particular the divisional-level meetings in October and November, to ensure money politics would not rear its ugly head again.

"I will do it. That's my commitment to Umno. If we don't clean up the party from bad elements how are going to reform society," he added.

For him, reforming Umno will also mean exposing more of Anwar's "deceit" as he believes his former boss could derail the true effort to bring reform with promises of things he can't keep.