Anwar Ibrahim - The Master Hero of Malaysian Reformation

September 20th 1998 signalizes the commencement of one of the most turbulent period in the political history of Malaysia. The sudden and most tragic arrest of Anwar Ibrahim , an event so tainted with cruelty of a heartless leader, witnessed the ushering of a new political paradigm - the emergence of Malay initiated multiethnic politics, a novelty unheard and undreamt of by most Malaysians.

Today, after more than three eventful years, Anwar shines as the political hero, undaunted, unscathed and ever displaying super human fortitude amidst the vilest of persecution perpetrated by the leader of a regime, bent on eliminating him for good. The miraculous circumstances attending his tragic arrest , the brutal beating he suffered at the hands of no less the IGP of police on that very night, and his heroic appearance , immortalised by the famous black eye , indicates that he is no ordinary person. His persecution, rightly seen is the event that gave birth to a momentous change process, symbolised by the magic word "Reformasi", a process that has set in motion the political change, unseen in the past.

The Anwar Ibrahim persecution, viewed rightly, is a beginning of a new age, a new paradigm in human unity in Malaysia, the event has opened new horizons in multiethnic relations, forging ahead with the development of a new political culture, that is to change Malaysia's already outmoded race based politics. While Anwar endures the persecution with the most great patience, his sacrifice has unleashed the creative force that has moved and changed the hearts and minds of the people. Unique in the annals of the nations, the Mahathir executed Anwar Ibrahim persecution, has no comparison, is unparalleled, and is akin to the gruesome tortures suffered by the apostles of prophets in the hands of tyrants in their respective age.

The persecution is of such magnitude, that the forces of change impregnated within it, eventually gave birth to a change that caused a massive political upheaval, a process that is still growing in momentum. Anwar Ibrahim will be remembered as the legend, as the most audacious leader, who, unshaken, unintimidated, never succumbed to the most terrorising punishment inflicted by a cruel leader. Anwar has no comparison, and no Malaysian leader has ever risen to such heights of hidden glory despite the vilest of slander used to defame his untainted, impeccable track record of leadership. No amount faked trials, no amount media propaganda, no amount treachery, deception, lies, trickery, heaped upon this pure soul, dented his name. He arose amidst his persecution with tragic swiftness, immortalised, ever to remain as the foremost warrior hero of Malaysia, outshining legends and leaders of the past and present.

In the international arena, Anwar was the symbol of civilisational unity. The Philippines, a catholic nation awarded him the highest award for his work on Rizal. His inter civilisational programmes, involving Chinese leader Sun Yat Sen, Indian Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, his knowledge of the Dravidian scripture Thirukkural, made Anwar a world statesman. Unfortunately, a cruel leader amongst his own people, with sinister motives, disgraced his own race and religion by slandering this innocent supreme leader for immoral political motives. Despite this well schemed persecution, conspired by a cruel wicked leadership, Anwar remains unshaken, clean and respected. for the people knew exactly how the conspiracy to eliminate him was planned, and executed. Truth reigned supreme, Anwar emerged heroic and the perpetrator is now branded as the villain.

The Anwar saga exposed the astronomical corruption of UMNO leaders, its feudal culture, its trickery and its oppression of their own race. The Malays matured to a significant extent with the Anwar upheaval, recognised how their leaders have exploited and misled them. Anwar infact opened the minds of the Malays, made them aware of their political captivity under UMNO and set in motion the civilisational process that is to destroy a feudal racist UMNO, wrought with corruption of the worst kind.

Anwar Ibrahim has risen above partisan politics, energed as a saint cum reformer, emerging form the ashes of a lie ridden conspiracy, only to be immortalised as the peerless leader of the Malaysian people.

The New Age Malaysian