Of history, historic, historical and ...

History of PKN, historic direct election, historical Anwar...this posting is in response to my friend's question on who I support for PKR's Deputy President. My answer is simple - I support the one who can make Malaysia better. Will that suffice?

Let's admit it. If this is purely history, then we should leave it to Khoo Kay Kim to compile all the necessary data and artifacts. Correct? But this is not just history in nature, it is also how we look at things from a different perspective...

It all started in 1998 when Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from his DPM's post. The once Mahathir's blue-eyed boy choose the wrong person to push around and Mahathir decided that enough is enough and they say that the rest is history. Is that all? No, Anwar's sacking forced his supporters to find a new political platform to voice out their discontent and that basically how Parti Keadilan Nasional (PKN) is formed. Its members are mostly former UMNO members who left the party with Anwar's sacking. It's main objective is to demand justice for Anwar Ibrahim. Thus, it look more like a figure-centered party. It's all about Anwar, Anwar, Anwar...That is history.

March 2008 witnessed a possible 2-party system in Malaysia with the once PKN (now known as PKR) combined forces with DAP and PAS to deny BN it's traditionally 2/3 parliament majority. Everyone is euphoric on the prospect of PKR-DAP-PAS governing Malaysia but then again...PKR stumbled when some of its elected reps decided to leave the party paving the way for BN to take over Perak from the coalition. In short, PKR as a young party is still trying to find its way and direction in Malaysia's politics beyond Anwar-centered theme. To breakway from the monotonous Anwar-centered idealogy, PKR opts to introduce a historic direct election system to choose its top leaders and the supreme council.

Since the announcement of the supposedly historic direct election, everybody jumps on the bandwagon harping on its virtues. Now, now...is it really so? Since PKR is all about Anwar, why is Anwar shying off from being nominated as the President? If he is more comfortable staying in the background as the party adviser, then why is he so gung ho in taking over Wan Azizah's spot as MP for Permatang Pauh? How will it look to the party members of an adviser who is reluctant to take over the reins of the party but ever willing to be an MP and opposition leader in parliament? Is there any hidden agenda there? Is Anwar banking on the direct election system to install his "endorsed" list of supporters by indirectly staying out of the party election? Former deputy Sec Gen has his own version to the whole direct election process here.

Getting Syed Hussin to "retire" is the easy part. But choosing a new Deputy President is another thing. Truthfully, forerunner Azmin Ali is in a comfortable position compared to Zaid. However, one should not neglect to note that Azmin Ali is an UMNO thoroughbred. Azmin Ali is there because he is once Anwar's assisstant and close confidante but the way he openly questioned Khalid Ibrahim in running Selangor should be noted. Is that what you want in a deputy President? Azmin Ali seems to forego the party's channel with his outburst against Khalid Ibrahim. What will he do if he disagrees with Wan Azizah? Note that he is both Selangor EXCO and an MP whereelse Wan Azizah is ZIP, when she "surrenders" her MP to Anwar Ibrahim.

That is not all. PKR supporters should take into account how Azmin Ali treated PKR Sabah. If PKR has the intention to wrest Sabah (and Sarawak) from BN, then Azmin should not be in the picture. Azmin Ali is better off at his present position and use that as his cooling period to re-stablish his ties with Sabah and Sarawak. Afterall, one must remember that PKR has limit the presidency tenure to maximum of nine years...

As for Zaid Ibrahim, his stand is clear. His disadvantage should be wiped out by his public repentance. When it comes to religious issues, it is better for us to steer clear lest we fall into the pit-trap of trying to judge a person when we are not perfect ourselves.

Remember that it is not Zaid who lost P94 Hulu Selangor, it was PKR's infighting and desertion including the so-called power struggle which contributed to BN's win. It is Anwar's hidden hands that pushed Halili Rahmat to abandon PKR leaving Zaid stranded in Hulu Selangor. So read between the lines as it is expected for PKR delegates to make a wise decision soon - choose either a Napoleonic or a principled deputy. Either built from the scratch President or will the delegates opts for a parachuted one (please note how Mahathir parachute in this youth leader into UMNO in 1982).

Direct election or not, it is exciting to see how PKR will conduct this first direct election and I reserve my comments on how the party spread the direct election process into several days. Will it not expose the direct election process into another farce especially when the results are tallied daily and the aspirant contestants will go all out to "pursuade" the delegates to vote their way? And will the delegates votes sway to the forerunner when the maths are sealed? How will PKR resolve this issue? When one mention direct election then it should be done within specific hours within the same day before tallying the result. Does PKR has the capability and will to do that? Honestly, it is doubtful but time will tell...

Let's see how historical Anwar position himself in the coming Azmin-Zaid fight. It is a difficult choice for Anwar to remain neutral. He could not discard his one-time assisstant Azmin and at the same time he could not by-pass Zaid who joined the party for it's principle. In fact, Anwar has to "take care" of Chua Jui Meng too as Chua will be an "influence" in the coming GE 13.

Is Anwar using Wan Azizah as leverage to get his "preferred" line-up and once it's accomplish, nudge Wan Azizah into political retirement? Remember that if Anwar can do that to Ghaffar, there's nothing stopping him to do the same to Wan Azizah...

History of PKN, historic direct election, historical Anwar...this posting is in response to my friend's question on who I support for PKR's Deputy President. My answer is simple - I support the one who can make Malaysia better. Will that suffice?

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...