Anwar's Integrity Deficit

Beware what lurks below Anwar Ibrahim’s superficial charisma. If you listen to any of his speeches or attend a Kajang town hall meeting, he may charm the pants off of you. Charisma and charm are important for Anwar because both mask his integrity deficit. Anwar’s history of flip-flopping, on virtually all issues, should not only alarm the Kajang electorate, but the rakyat at large. Without integrity, how can he be trusted to be menteri besar of Selangor?

While on one hand he distances himself from the USA, his deep connections to the USA are unquestionable. The former firebrand Islamist is now the progressive moderate. He once supported the Goods and Services Tax (GST) but now rejects it. He later declared if he was in government he would institute the GST but only when Malaysia was ready.

For the record, 160 countries have implemented the GST. Seven of 10 Asean countries have instituted it. Regardless, Malaysia will be ready for the GST only when it’s politically expedient for Anwar. Remember - Anwar is the man who promised the rakyat that he would quit politics if he lost GE13.

Today, instead of quitting, he is stretching his tentacles for more power. Does a man’s word not mean anything any more? Something is amiss in Anwar's nonchalant dismassal of Zaid Ibrahim’s challenge to a debate for the Kajang by-election seat. Anwar has often been the protagonist insisting on debates - see his incessant challenging of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in the run up to GE13. So what has caused the change?

Anwar flip-flops on subsidy reform as well.  While campaigning some days ago Anwar said, “petrol and sugar prices should not be increased”. However, Wong Chen, a member of parliament for Anwar’s party, previously conceded cuts were needed, “but we would like to see gradual subsidy cut, not as deep as what the government has envisioned”.

Anwar, it seems, will tell whoever exactly what his audience want to hear to get what he wants. This is the not the mark of a sincere or selfless leader.

It’s easy to say sugar and petrol subsidies should not be cut. Of course, that’s what the people want to hear. But, what the rakyat really need in the long term is a strong economy that provides good jobs and a better standard of living. This can only be assured by fiscal reform, including the scaling back of sugar and petrol subsidies. Anwar knows this is the truth, but just can’t bring himself to admit it publicly.  

Anwar is infamous for his fickle decisions for he is a man with no clear vision or plan. Well, except the devious kind such as by stealing Khalid Ibrahim’s job as MB of Selangor, spending the money Selangor has in its bank account, and then claiming the credit.

Think - How can you have a vision or plan when you are always changing your position to suit whoever’s fancy? International markets, ratings agencies and analysts have agreed that fiscal reform is required for Malaysia. Fortunately for the rakyat, Prime Minister Najib has a clear vision and plan, and statistics show his reforms are working.

GDP is strong, Foreign Direct Investment is the highest it has ever been, and the government has exceeded its target of reducing the deficit. It might be unpopular, but subsidy reform is necessary to ensure future economic growth, and a rise in living standards. What has Anwar done to match this? Nothing - except to rant and confuse the rakyat.

Taking unpopular decisions in order to ensure the long term health and well-being of the rakyat is the hallmark of strong leadership. Anwar, on the other hand, is proving that integrity deficit is hard to mask.

Written by Datuk Huan Cheng Guan
President, Centre for Political Awareness

*Posted in Malaysiakini letters section