The aftermath of a storm that is not
Umar Mukhtar
The woeful sight of frail sickly old men entering the battlefield to argue new politics gave one a foreboding sense of reluctant renaissance. Sure enough, not only they had to make a U-turn, but had betrayed to a further U-turn in the aftermath.
Not only they have abandoned their poster-boy, their compromising stand of submitting two names, including the one they are not too fond of, to the palace was defeated at the Pakatan Rakyat Presidential council. Not surprising, considering that their defense was left to their own nemesis. The old men had to take leave much earlier. Limited stamina. Shouldn’t that tell them something!
But in all, it was not too devasting of a defeat. Just bruised ego and the realisation that the boys have grown up! Nevertheless, their desertion of Khalid is expected to save PR, and their wishlist of not having a gloved-hand to shake will be fulfilled, thanks to the palace. But it was a drubbing all the same.
Anwar Ibrahim, the Ketua Umum of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, can gloat that he still has what it takes to get out of a hole. But it was an empty victory. In form he wins, it seems, but in substance subsequent events will prove that it is hollow.
This whole hullabaloo was started because he wanted to take control of the Selangor government leadership. He had lost his chance because of past indiscretions and went on to nominate his wife to be his proxy. It is obvious to everyone, friends and foes, that Wan Azizah was not his choice because of her prowess. In fact, it is the lack of it that qualifies her.
But with the gentle rumblings from friends and foe alike, chances are it is going to be somebody else. Mission failed! Because his planned grip would have been little to do with state administration but the indirect purchases of influence via Selangor’s surplus reserves. No one other than his wife would have allowed his hand be in the cookie jar to power his way to Putrajaya. His loyal side-kick included.
The Anwarists are happy to remain in PR. Snuggled in Pas, their mild Islamic credentials had given them proximity to traditionally religious Pas supporters who now see that there is another way to skin the cat. Bye bye piety, hallo power! This is fun!
Nik Aziz, Hadi and the whole ulama group is beginning to see that. Similarly, their mild racial overtone augur well with crescent-fearing non-Moslems. It is Malaysians politics of the future. Dinosaurs like Dr Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim will do well to shed their skin.
Who won? Aha, this is not the winner-take-all of Umno politics. Sure, Azmin will get rid of the Saifuddins, and the palace will come out appearing to have done its job. But Khalid will always be a footnote; you can’t have your cake and eat it too! Pay your debts. How you got the Bank’s money without the collateral shares in place remained a mystery, Mr Lily White!
