Personality-based politics and playing the sympathy card might not work anymore
“However, for it to be purely policy-based politics, it will be a very big jump to make. I still believe there will also be people from Pakatan Rakyat attacking (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) or (Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) on personal basis instead of policy, and vice versa.”
Azril Annuar and Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani, The Malay Mail
MIXED RESPONSES: (From left) Jayasooria, Khoo, Wan Saiful and Azmi give their own verdict on the verdict of Sodomy II.
With the acquittal of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, the charismatic Opposition Leader and the coalition he leads may have to change their game plan a little as they cannot ride on voters sympathetic side anymore.
At the same time, the question arises as to what the “not guilty” verdict of Sodomy II will do for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the upcoming general election.
Personality-based politics and playing the sympathy card may not be the best weapons anymore in Pakatan Rakyat’s (PR) arsenal for the 13th general election, but the verdict is still out as to what a free Anwar can do to the ruling coalition.
Political analysts The Malay Mail spoke to agreed that with the verdict, the Opposition now must have a more solid plan based on “policies instead of personalities” to win over voters.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) Institute of Ethnic Studies principal research fellow Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria said while the acquittal “will rejuvenate their determination towards Putrajaya”, the Opposition still has its work cut out for it.
“I do not think the path is a straight and easy one for Pakatan Rakyat (PR) because they have to win the majority of the seats and voters,” he said.
“I think the way forward for them would be their policies, alternative policies and programmes for the rakyat to judge. That would be more substantive rather than political language and personality issues. They need to put real commitment to democracy and economic development.”
Can the Opposition convince the majority it can govern without the experience that Barisan Nasional have?
“I think they might have stood a better chance with a martyr symbol (if Anwar was jailed) but this (his acquittal) opens greater political discussion and discourse on public policies.”
Denison said the verdict would also boost public confidence in an independent judiciary.
Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng echoed Denison’s views, saying it was a “fair verdict” and hoped the next election would see a battle on both sides’ capacity for governance rather than political rhetoric.
“Elections should be taken seriously. Politicians and parties should be elected based on capacity for governance, not on political rhetoric. I hope this (verdict) will put the matter to an end,” he said.
“Hopefully, during the next elections, the contest will be based on the ability of political parties to offer and deliver to the people. I hope political rhetoric and sandiwara (drama) and personal-based politics and personal attacks will end.”
Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) think tank chief executive officer Wan Saiful Wan Jan said he believed “many people were surprised that Anwar was acquitted”.
“Assuming the decision today stays, it will move our politics to a more policy-based system. I think there’s not going to be much sympathy vote because there’s nothing to sympathise about now,” he said.
“However, for it to be purely policy-based politics, it will be a very big jump to make. I still believe there will also be people from Pakatan Rakyat attacking (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib (Razak) or (Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri) Muhyiddin (Yassin) on personal basis instead of policy, and vice versa.”
Universiti Malaya Law Faculty Associate Prof Dr Azmi Sharom said, however, that BN was in a Catch-22 situation.
“I think BN was in a lose-lose situation anyway because if he (Anwar) was found guilty, he would have been a martyr and PR would have used it in their election campaign,” he said.
“Now that he is released, they are going to use this saying that ‘I am vindicated, look at what depths they tried to put me away’. It’s a BN lose-lose situation and Pakatan win-win situation.”
On whether the verdict reflected a judiciary free of BN interference, Azmi said it would still take years to regain the trust that had been lost.
“The general reaction is people are suspicious. Everything the judges do, there is an ulterior motive, and not just about the law. I don’t think this is a sign that our judiciary is actually free,” he said.
