The End Of Anwar Ibrahim’s Legacy, The Rise Of Suhaimi Sabudin In Permatang Pauh?
Details Published on Tuesday, 05 May 2015 02:08 Written by Nur Lina Mastura
February 10, 2015 – It was doomsday for PKR de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, after his final appeal against a sodomy conviction was rejected, and he was found guilty of sodomising his former aide, Saiful Bukhari Azlan. The trial that lasted for seven years finally came to an end as he was sentenced to five years imprisonment, for what was a second time after his imprisonment in 1998.
Efforts made by he and his family also failed after their request for a royal pardon was turned down, and the pardon rejection meant that he had lost his seat as an MP of Permatang Pauh, keeping him out of his political career, and leading up to a by-election for the parliamentary constituency he once helmed.
After withstanding a 33-year long leadership legacy under the administration of PKR and Anwar in the parliamentary constituency, even while he was imprisoned in 1998, his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail took over as MP in 1999 until 2008 before vacating the seat to provide the path once again for him following his release in 2004, and now, the hot seat is finally up for grabs again.
Serving the parliamentary constituency for many years throughout his political career, it is undeniable that Anwar had before this proven his credibility, which led people to recognise the greatness of his administration – the outcome of his thinking, actions and new ideas that were generated, until his fall from grace.
Despite Anwar’s legacy being the key anchor of PKR’s campaign for Permatang Pauh, once again, the locals will be faced with a 10th by-election since the General Election (GE), as the stage is set for the battle to determine who will fill the vacant seat that Anwar was forced to vacate.
A question that now begs: Can Anwar’s family put up a fight and avenge his imprisonment by keeping his legacy alive? Or would voters turn over a new leaf by opting for a change under a new leadership?
Anwar’s Political Background
A brief background of Anwar before joining UMNO includes him leading the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) for ten years. During his leadership, he sought the attention of the public, especially youths which led to the recognition of ABIM.
He was always seen vigorously fighting for the values of Islam, bringing forth the concept of Islam in the political arena, also indirectly using the platform along with the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) to attract more Muslims, in grasping the true concept of Islam. However, in March 1982, Anwar had made a decision that shocked many people when he declared his participation in UMNO.
This decision came as a huge disappointment to many in PAS as well as his companions in ABIM. In fact, the Shura members in ABIM discouraged him and were not willing to let him continue his political path with UMNO, seeing as he was a very well-known leftist who strongly criticised the leadership of UMNO and the government.
Explaining his decision to join UMNO, Anwar said he had found that there is an openness and honesty in the government led by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (Tun M). Interestingly enough, prior to this, Anwar was also offered a Cabinet by Tun Abdul Razak in 1974 when he became Prime Minister, and an invitation from Datuk Harun Idris so as to participate in the Youth Movement - but both were met with rejections.
Many aren’t aware of the good relations that once existed between him and Tun M, but the two did work together and were a force that heavily criticised the leadership of Tunku Abdul Rahman especially during the May 13, 1969 racial riots, which since sparked Anwar’s interest to join UMNO. Mahathir recognised Anwar as a vehicle to promote his own government, as a champion of the Malays and Islamic causes.
His participation had also received strong support not only from the leadership of UMNO, but the leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN), such as the former MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, who believed in his integrity and capabilities of helping UMNO implement its policies. This was evident as he won the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency in the 1982 GE.
As a new member of UMNO, Anwar was able to beat PAS candidate, Zabidi Ali, by an astounding majority of 14,352 votes. But that wasn’t the only impressive start he had. He later on went on to be appointed as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office under Tun M’s administration.
Anwar was evidently climbing the ladder of success, rung by rung and was eventually nominated to contest Datuk Suhaimi Kamaruddin and Hang Tuah Arshad for the Youth Chief post, in what turned out to be a three-cornered fight.
In campaigns underway, Anwar insisted before the people on the changes that he would bring and the fights that he would put up in the party, which include adding Islamic values in the society, promising administrative efficiency, fighting for issues in Islam, the advocacy of the Malays and the elimination of corruption. Also in his campaigns, he was sure in reminding his supporters of a healthy compromise without dissing the opponent, with his rally cry being 'Vote for Change'.
In September 1982, Anwar won the Youth Chief post with 183 votes, while Suhaimi trailed with 173 votes, followed by Hang Tuah Arshad with only three votes. With a differing ten votes only to Suhaimi, Anwar evidently did not receive that strong of a support from members of the youth movement. However, the win meant that he was given a step ahead to prove himself and to deliver his promises, particularly in implementing Islamic values and fostering a keen understanding amongst other members.
Year by year and step by step, Anwar brought a rapid change to the youth movement, regardless the censures from various parties, he withstood the test of time and prospered in keeping his promise. His proven success was clearly the main driver that led the youth movement to put full trust in his leadership. His first ministerial office was that of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1983, and then heading the agriculture ministry in 1984 before becoming Minister of Education in 1986.
His influence was clearly growing in UMNO, and so was his confidence. He then resigned from his position as Youth Chief and moved on to contest as UMNO Deputy President on 24 April 1987.
“I have made this decision to resign as UMNO Youth Chief in view that my peers and I have already joined UMNO’s main body and I feel that it’s time for me to follow their footsteps,” he said during the Youth General Assembly on 23 April 1987.
Anwar made no mistake and clearly knew what he was doing. He saw it as a step closer to achieving his dream of becoming Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister.
But it looked as though he had had his chips, despite his contributions being equally impressive, and his delivery, charismatic - his career was destroyed overnight in 1998 when he was removed from his post in UMNO by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
Anwar, along with shattered dreams, was jailed for corruption and sodomy, and this led to his cry of reformation, to take action against the ruling coalition and its leaders who he claimed were ‘unjust’.
Now, history repeats itself for the man who has always insisted he is innocent. Only this time, this second imprisonment has crushed him at the peak of his political career.
The Upcoming Permatang Pauh By-Election
The Permatang Pauh Parliamentary constituency by-election will take place in two days, and what is to become a 'phenomenon' throughout Malaysia will witness a four-cornered fight between Barisan Nasional (Suhaimi Sabudin), President of PKR (Wan Azizah) [ Anwar Ibrahim's wife .. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wan_Azizah_Wan_Ismail ], Parti Rakyat Malaysia (Azman Shah Othman) and Salleh Isahak from the independent party.
Barisan Nasional [SEE INSERT BELOW] candidate Suhaimi Sabudin is seen as Anwar’s fiercest competition in winning the constituency seat, one that would spring a surprise to shove PKR’s predictable choice, Wan Azizah out of the spot. The locals have also recently outwardly declared their support for the 44-year-old businessman and political novice in the upcoming by-election.
Suhaimi, known as the ‘local boy’ has also been stealing the hearts of people in the constituency, especially youths who seized job opportunities – a progress that should have happened during the 33 years under the administration of Anwar, Wan Azizah and PKR.
Suhaimi had also pledged to utilise his expertise in the construction sector by bringing more development to the constituency, promising to go to the ground to work if given the chance.
Emphasising their ground approach, BN’s campaign matches their slogan “Cukuplah… kami pulak” (Enough… it’s our turn). Who's to say if it is enough, but 33 years sure is long time, and many have felt that too much trust was peviously given to Anwar under his administration and that it is time for them to be eased out of his leadership legacy.
These were some comments made by the residents of Penang, taken from the online portal Selangorpost.com with regards to the Permatang Pauh by-election which will take place on May 7:
“As MP of this constituency, Anwar and his wife have never visited us. He was rarely seen on ground and never helped the people of Permatang Pauh. PKR always wanted the voters to vote but often neglected the poor and elderly in the constituency.” - Zulkifli Hamid, 79, the oldest voter in the Permatang Pauh by-election.
“As a voter in the Permatang Pauh constituency, I am disappointed with its representative for not bringing any development to the people here. I am tired of voting after nearly five rounds, it’s always him and his family, and the situation remains the same in the constituency. We, the residents are disappointed with the performance of the past MP.” – Khairul Anas Ismail, 47.
“The Permatang Pauh Constituency should have been more rapid in development if voters had chosen a representative that cared more about the people. Workers at a factory in Perai citing a neighbouring parliamentary constituency in Tasek Gelugor and Kepala Batas pointed that it had progressed even more rapidly under the BN representatives. MPs must understand issues faced by the locals, focus on them, and find ways to resolve them.” - Siti Nuraina Mohd Aman, 31.
UMNO Youth Information Chief, Jamawi Jaafar, UMNO Federal Territory, Youth Chief Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafli, and UMNO Youth Exco, Nazir Hussein Akhtar Hussein have all expressed their views about the issues faced by the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency and Wan Azizah’s nomination in taking over the seat once held by her husband. And according to a source, they have all claimed that there are young people who expressed how they had once been strong supporters of PKR but have in turn supported UMNO as they have grown weary of Anwar and his family’s political antiques.
“Anwar and Wan Azizah have never appreciated the support given by the voters, but instead only choose to prioritise their family’s fight,” said Jamawi.
Meanwhile, Razlan spoke of Wan Azizah’s failure of leading the people, especially in the parliamentary constituency.
“Wan Azizah does not have a good track record of excellence in the state, let alone in Kajang with her disappearance from the people when they needed her the most. After winning the by-election in Kajang, there was not a single deed done to repay the people, to help improve their lives,” said Razlan.
Nazir claimed, “The decision to put Wan Azizah to contest in the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency is expected and this is BN’s best chance to win back the seat.”
-- INSERT: Malaysia held general elections on 5 May 2013 following the dissolution of the Parliament announced on 3 April 2013. Both the House of Representatives and 12 out of 13 state legislative assemblies (with the exception of Sarawak) were renewed.
The federal ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, dominated by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) party, of prime minister Najib Razak is the leader of, formed the federal government with 60% of parliamentary seats even though it won a mere 47.38% of the popular vote while the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition led by Anwar Ibrahim formed the bulk of the opposition in Parliament after winning 50.87% of the popular vote. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysian_general_election,_2013 --
Nevertheless, the extent of Anwar’s influence in the parliamentary constituency still remains uncertain, with some steadfast PKR supporters rooting for his legacy since 1982 to live on.
The big day is yet to come, [PKR won, see below] and with only two days away, all Malaysians are eagerly waiting to find out the fate that’s in store for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency. Even with whispers of predictions in the air, anything is possible. With a vital seat at stake, can Wan Azizah and Anwar’s legacy prove that his influence is still relevant in Permatang Pauh, or is this BN’s best chance to dominate with Suhaimi Sabudin?
In the meantime, the PKR de facto leader had also sent a letter to residents of Permatang Pauh, urging them to support his wife in the upcoming by-election. And according to the letter, the former MP had called upon voters in the parliamentary constituency to vote for her in a continued effort to seize justice, to salvage the people.
The by-election is a four-way contest between Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR), Suhaimi Sabudin (BN), Azman Shah Othman (PRM) and Salleh Isahak (Independent).
10.18pm: OFFICIAL RESULTS FROM ELECTION COMMISSION
PKR - 30,316 (57.1% of the popular vote, down by 1.47%)
BN - 21,475 (40.44% of the popular vote, up by 0.38%)
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