September 16

Not many people are taking Anwar’s claim seriously because of his impending court case, among other things.

There are other important issues, mainly moral, on whether it is right for at least 30 MPs to just cross over for the purpose of forming a new government. But then again, we cannot expect the present government to take it lying down. At least, it can dissolve Parliament and call for a fresh general election.

I believe there are enough MPs who are willing to cross over even without inducements, if only there were no moral issues involved and no risk of civil disorder, a situation not unlikely if the situation turned against the present regime. There are too many people who cannot afford the boat to be rocked, too much at stake.

The Permatang Pauh by-election has shown the emergence of people’s power against race-based politics. Its credence as an alternative government is gathering momentum and BN can ignore at its own peril. Permatang Pauh translates into People’s Power and into People’s Parliament. The government of the day is expected to listen to the people and not to claim that because of a landslide victory, it has the mandate to do as it pleases. The possibility of a two-party system will ensure that one will outdo the other in serving the public, a choice we never had the opportunity before.