Reader Johnleemk has given an interesting comment on our previous entry, Why Keadilan : Bridging the Gap Towards Opposition Unity,

Keadilan is very much Malay-based, and from what I’ve seen, it’s basically a Ketuanan Anwar party. Some of the crap I’ve seen from Anwar worshippers is really disgusting - lamenting that there’s no hope for the opposition if Anwar goes to the other side, bla bla bla.

Keadilan has as much trouble winning over the Chinese and Indian voters as DAP does winning over the Malay voters. These two parties would be better off if they merged and created a real multiracial party.

For the first statement, yes, we do not agree with personality cult too. Do you think we worship Anwar ? Yes, many supporters are here because of Anwar. However, instead of idolising Anwar, they are here because they are convinced that if even a Deputy PM could be tortured in that way, it would be meaningless to support BN anymore ! It is more about injustice rather than personality. Even Pas and DAP have agreed to nominate Anwar as PM, instead of Haji Hadi, Nik Aziz or Kit. But that don’t make them Anwaristas I suppose ?

Many among Keadilan have criticised Anwar. Just to quote one example, Zukri Aksah, currently Youth Exco and Indera Mahkota Division Youth Chief, and was candidate for Semambu state legislative council seat in 2004. He criticized Anwar on the stage when Anwar, as DPM, visited UUM where he was studying back then. But they are still in the party, because they subscribe to party’s ideas. They are not here because they follow Anwar blindly. Similarly, as the party advisor, Anwar sometimes disagrees with some party’s policies too.

For the second statement, Keadilan is less radical and more constructive than others, because our membership transcends ethnic or religious lines. Whenever we make a stand, it would have taken into account everyone’s perspective, instead of only certain ethnic or religious community’s. We can propose for equality and meritocracy without being labelled as Chinese chauvinistic, we don’t support New Economy Policy (NEP), Islamic state or Hudud yet that doesn’t make us anti-Malay or anti-Islam.

Look at point 5 of Keadilan’s Matlamat Perjuangan,

[…] to promote the role of religious and universal values to uphold truth, justice, ethical conduct, humanitarianism and human dignity.

In the administration that Keadilan envisages, religous virtues and good values do play a role. But it’s far from replacing all laws with religious rhetorics. What’s the use to label a nation as Islamic or whatever if cruelty or discrimination or corruption is prevalent ? In fact, Pas readily acknowledges that Keadilan is not going after Islamic state or Hudud, yet, Pas is still very supportive of Reformasi and its activities, even to the extent of nominating Anwar as PM.

We all know Hudud is not suitable for a multicultural society in a modern world. But we can say just that, instead of claiming that Hudud is this and that, thus should be opposed and bla bla bla. You can do it and win the hearts of Muslims, or do the same thing but lose the trust of Muslims. The choice is up to you.

Take the issue of concerts. We do not oppose to concerts like some others do. As Anwar said, if people claim that kids are skipping prayers for concert, then let the concert start only after prayer times. If they complain that the concert disturbs prayers, then hold it further away from places of worship. Did we say there must be segregation among the audiences ? And apparently, Anwar is the better candidate to tell Muslims so without being seen as anti-Islam because of his credentials, no ?

Both Pas and DAP dream of changing Malaysian society overnight. While their aims might be good, the way they do it makes many very wary. That’s why Keadilan is here, to present an alternative agenda which takes into account everyone’s view. We are here to stay, and certainly, for the sake of Malaysia’s future, we welcome you to be part of us :-)