LONE

Friday, August 19, 2005

Anwar says::"I'm Completely Vindicated"

After having lost numerous court battles after he was unceremoniously sacked, Anwar has been winning some as of late. His first major victory was on 2nd September last year, almost a year ago. Then he had his sodomy conviction overturned by the highest court of the land. This was no small victory even though the scoreboard read 2:1, he found himself free and could leave Sungei Buloh after 6 long years. He tasted defeat again when his appeal against the corruption conviction was turned down on 15th September.
Almost a year has gone by and much water has flowed under the bridge. Anwar has had his opportunity to be again with family, friends and supporters. He has had his lecture stints and tours in te UK, USA and other countries. Many wondered whether he would rejoin UMNO, lead Keadilan or what. Many labelled him as a political chameleon. His anwer to all these talks can be summarised by his own words :: "I only hope to be more effective in the future and to make my consistency of purpose clearer to everyone by the actions and endeavours I undertake."
August has been a good month for him. Earlier this month he settled his Black Eye case and had the former IGP tender his apology publicly. There was also an undisclosed amount of damages awarded for the pains suffered by Anwar and his family. He appears to be ready to let bygones be bygones and ready to move ahead. Yesterday, he won another court victory and claims "I'm Completely Vindicated". For his libel suit against Datuk Abdul Khalid @ Khalid Jafri Bakar Shah, the author of the book 50 Dalil Mengapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi PM (50 Reasons Why Anwar Cannot Become PM), Justice Mohd Hishamudin awarded AnwarnRM4.5 million, RM4.0 million for defamation, RM500,000 for "conspiracy to injure", plus all legal costs. When making the award, the judge had this to say ::

"Recent cases on libel actions in this country show that the current judicial trend in Malaysia is no longer to award millions of ringgit in damages for libel.
However, I am in agreement with Tuan Haji Sulaiman Abdullah (Anwars lead counsel) that the facts and circumstances of this case are unique and hence the damages to be awarded must be reflective of the peculiarity of the case."

The judge also noted ::

"The defendants and others who conspired with the defendants achieve their purpose." "The plaintiff's political career was ruined as a result of the publication of the book."
"Faced with such a vicious and venomous public attack on his integrity, launched by the defendants in cahoots with others, the public humiliation and ridicule and the pain and mental distress suffered by the plaintiff and his family must be beyond description."

Anwar was particular happy with these remarks. And he had the following to say ::

"At last there is a judgement which finally takes full cognisance of the conspiracy to destroy my political career which has always been my position from day one," he said. "The judgement clears my name. I have been completely vindicated."

Like before, earlier in the month he seems to make light of the monetary compensation and said that he would discussed with his family how to disburse the money to the needy. This calls again for another round of applause.
In recent weeks Anwar has revealed new political ambitions, and like Mao many years before, it is liken that he has started on his "long march" to be prime minister. His advisers appear even to have a plan ready on how he could become PM even if the 12th election was held before 2008 [Anwar can only hold public office and contest elections after April 2008]. He has been vocal on many current issues which have cropped up lately :: the revival of the NEP as the NNA; the need for Petronas to spread its wealth to the poor; the need for the formulation of a new policy that transcends racial lines for the country and the need to improve the standard of living for all and the success of all races. Will the voters buy Anwar's new outlook?
Anwar may feel that his recent victories in court have vindicated him. But he has to do lots more to convince the court of joe-public. Even those who have been for him when he was in Sungei Buloh before 2nd September may not be convince to vote for him when the 12th election comes. Many felt that he was badly treated during those years and he was short-changed deserve justice but to give him full support in his "long march" to be the first among equals is another story. He certainly needs to be even more convincing than he is prepared to be now.

| ¶ 8/19/2005 04:59:00 PM

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