What’s next, Datuk Seri Anwar?
Joceline Tan, The Star
DREAMS do come true.
Just five months ago, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sitting in prison, but on Saturday evening, there he was, standing before a cheering crowd after winning the Port Dickson by-election.
It has also been an amazing reversal of fortunes for the new MP of Port Dickson who will take his oath in Parliament today.
Anwar has always been known as an instinctive politician and he acknowledged his victory that night with just the right mix of restrain, gratitude, humility and conviction.
Anwar had begun to look all of his 71 years as the by-election campaign entered its final stage but the years seemed to roll away after the results came in and he looked fit, energetic and contemporary in the moment of victory.
“You saw him jogging on the beach.
“He is fit to be PM,” said longtime loyalist Abdul Rahman Yusof with a laugh.
His team was delighted with the 23,560-vote majority and Anwar had personally congratulated election expert Prof Datuk Dr Redzuan Othman for his spot-on prediction.
All the other candidates, except for PAS’ Lt-Kol (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar, lost their deposits.
Anwar’s victory also spanned across all sectors – race, age cohorts and in all the five state seats in the parliamentary constituency.
But his team was somewhat disappointed that even Anwar’s star power could not bring out the voters.
The voter turnout of 58% was only slightly better than the last three by-elections.
It is quite apparent by now that the lacklustre turnout at by-elections is more than just political fatigue.
There is a degree of disappointment among voters about the state of the politics and government and it is something that incoming leaders like Anwar have to take note of.
An inspired electorate would have made the effort to exercise their right to vote, especially given that this is the future prime minister.
“I think the hardcore Anwar supporters would have wanted a grander welcome back, but there is no denying that the return of the legend is on track,” said political commentator Khaw Veon Szu.
It has been an arduous 20-year journey since his sacking from the government sparked off the reformasi movement, but a new journey is about to begin for him.
Reporters covering his post-victory press conference thought he was trying to rush it through because he only fielded a few questions.
They noticed that his deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali was not there.
But members of his inner circle, including Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution, Rafizi Ramli and Datuk Johari Abdul, were by his side.
None of the reporters had the chance to ask the question on everyone’s lips and, that is, when he will likely become the next prime minister.
Anyway, Anwar probably did not want to go into that so soon after winning.
It is a sensitive subject, especially now that he is within touching distance of the coveted post.
Some in the Anwar circle have joked that Dr Wan Azizah may not be the one wearing the pants in the Anwar household for much longer now that Anwar is ready, in every sense of the word.
There is no denying that the political landscape will shift somewhat after Port Dickson.
“I suppose it is good news especially for those welcoming the new dawn of politics as well as those uneasy with Dr Mahathir.
“There was some concern that Anwar would not be ready when the time comes but there is now more clarity in the succession plan,” said Khaw.
But Anwar has repeatedly stressed that he wants to remain an ordinary government backbencher and that he wants to focus on parliamentary reforms.
He had rushed the by-election to become a backbencher? It simply did not make sense.
Anwar is said to be trying to re-establish himself on the global Islamic landscape because he has been meeting a string of personalities especially those from international Muslim groups.
PKR insiders claimed that Anwar also does not intend to accept the deputy prime minister post.
He has been there before and he is not keen to revisit the less than memorable experience.
One PKR politician put it more bluntly: “Why bother with the DPM post? It does not have any real power. Moreover, if he is the DPM, he knows they will tell him to wait and be patient.”
Those close to him say he prefers a “direct flight”, with no transit stop in between.
Politics is a numbers games and it is no secret that the two adversaries-turned-partners are “working on the numbers”, that is, counting MPs and parties interested in an alignment with this side or the other side. But the conventional wisdom is that this ongoing numbers game is more of a defence plan rather than an attack plan.
If one side makes an unwarranted move, then the other side will counter by bringing out his numbers and vice-versa.
Anwar was effusive in thanking Dr Mahathir after winning but those around him were not happy that on the eve of polling, the Prime Minister announced that the government would not abolish highway tolls as promised.
They felt that Dr Mahathir could have waited till after polling to talk about it and that it showed the old tiger had not lost his fangs.
So much water has flowed under the bridge but suspicion lives on among their respective supporters.
Malaysia cannot afford another big crisis caused by a leadership tussle.
“I believe Anwar will be taking one step at a time,” said his longtime friend Dr Redzuan.
Nevertheless, everyone will be waiting to see when the “direct flight” will take off.
