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Anwar Ibrahim is not finished and will not be finished

Speech by M Kula Segaran, DAP National Vice Chairman and MP for Ipoh Barat at DAP Lumut Parliamentray Lisision Committee Dinner on Saturday, March 08, 2014

Anwar Ibrahim is not finished and will not be finished

Yesterday was indeed a sad day for Malaysia’s democracy as Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leader Anwar Ibrahim was sentenced to 5 years jail by the Court of Appeal which had overturned the High Court decision to acquit him of sodomy charges. 

He is now unable to contest in Kajang by election and his position as an MP will depend on his wining an appeal to the Federal Court.

Some people have said that with the five year sentence, Anwar’s political life is now destroyed and PR‘s momentum for political change has been dealt a big blow.

I am not surprised that some BN people think that Anwar is now politically finished and PR will be weakened.

But let me tell BN that Anwar is far from finished and PR will emerge stronger. In fact, I have heard talks that Anwar’s conviction will be a key cause for BN’s downfall in the next general election. 

Anwar was sentenced to 6 years jail for corruption and 9 years jail for sodomy charges more than a decade ago.  

But Anwar was not finished. BN could not finish him then and BN will not be able to finish him again this time. 

During this morning’s PR Convention held in Selangor, PKR president and Anwar’s wife Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail has urged PR members and supporters to put the Anwar’s sodomy conviction behind them and prepare for the political battle ahead.

"Tears are only temporary. We will wipe our tears and will move on," she said.

Yes indeed we must all fight on with greater determination. Lawan tetap lawan.  Let there be new Putrajaya government come the next general election.

Although Anwar Ibrahim will not be able to contest in Kajang, I call on the Kajang to use their votes to express their support for Anwar Ibrahim and Karpal Singh who has been found guilty of sedition.

Let a big PR victory be the strong message to BN that Kajang voters are totally behind Anwar and Karpal Singh.

In fact, even if Anwar and Karpal had not been convicted, Kajang voters should not “waste “their votes by supporting a candidate from MCA, a party that has no credibility.

In 2011, MCA had decided that it would not accept any government posts if its electoral performance in the 13 the general election was worse than that of the 12 Th general elections. It was a scare tactic employed by a failed and desperate MCA.

But the Chinese voters could not be bothered if MCA was representing them in the Cabinet. As a result, MCA was reduced to a 7—11 party in the 13 Th general elections held on May 5, 2013.

If MCA truly respects its word and the wishes of the Chinese community, MCA ought to keep its word and stay out of government.

But the MCA General Meeting which met on Feb 23 decided to return to Cabinet.

If MCA still cares about dignity, it ought to have decided to leave the BN coalition.

Time has proven again and again that MCA and BN are not parties that can bring changes that the people have been yearning for.

Lawan tetap lawan! Kajang voters must rise to the occasion and deliver a big victory to PR on March 23 polling day.