The irony of Ubah and Reformasi

By Yuktes Vijay

Reformasi was the battle cry of Anwar Ibrahim and his supporters upon his sacking from the cabinet in 1998. Cronyism, nepotism and corruption within the Barisan Nasional government was the apparent inspiration for Anwar’s aspirations of a reform.

Fast forward to present day, the legacy of the Reformasi chant is now represented by PKR, an important party in the powerful opposition coalition of our country today.

In run up to the 13th general election which was held in May, the mantra of the hour was Ubah. The purpose and idea of it remains the same which is to kick Barisan Nasional out of Putrajaya.

However, this time the trust was placed on the ballot box rather than street demonstrations. Ubah has become a synonym to DAP and is the worthy equal to the cries of Reformasi.

The fact that those slogans represented a vision and promised an initiation of a better Malaysia, can never be denied. However, those slogans are now political weapons instead of ideals and beliefs.

The latest developments and previous incidents bear testimony to that.

A party borne to lash out at nepotism and other malpractices now has a president’s post, the vice president’s post and the all powerful ‘de facto’ position held by members of Anwar Ibrahim’s family.

In fact, almost all powerful positions in the party and in the Selangor state managed GLCs, the key positions are held by loyalists and family members.

DAP is no better when it comes to nepotism as well. The Lim Dynasty and the sons of Karpal have secured their positions and that of their diehard supporters.

How do you practice the very thing you oppose and criticize? Hypocrisy is the apt one word description that comes to mind.

Irony isn’t it? A party created to oppose nepotism and other evils is now the symbol bearer of the same. Perhaps, Reformasi means ‘we can better your evils’ in PKR’s context.

Ubah – for the wrong reasons

The Ubah efforts in DAP is noticeable with purchase of Lim Guan Eng’s new Mercedes Benz.

The Penang CM felt it was time to Ubah a Camry which was only three months old. In fact the slogan Ubah is being taken seriously by DAP’s counterparts, PKR themselves.

In boasting about their state reserves, the Selangor government had decided to Ubah and spend its money on increasing the salary of the MB and the excos.

Although the state’s Economic Advisor was not given a raise, it was revealed he earns a staggering RM150,000 year in allowances.

PKR has also urged the authorities to investigate PM and his wife because their son, a successful banker in the US, managed to invest millions into a prestigious Hollywood production.

If a successful banker can be investigated for millions, why a former convict who spends equal or more is spared the brunt?

It is clear that the Reformasi cries were for political charade purposes. Anyone remembers what reforms or ideas that Anwar presented during his time in the Cabinet?

Perhaps the Ubah slogan was meant for the Reformasi crew. All that have been indicated above clearly gives such a picture.

It was then spun by Anwar by bringing Umno/BN into the picture. A typical escape route to hide his own flaws.

Ubah and Reformasi – advice that should be given to self before preaching to another.

The writer grew up idolising Anwar Ibrahim. Joined Anwar’s personal lawyer as an attachment student. Ended up as Anwar’s special aide.

Left him, disillusioned and angry, for the fake reformist persona Anwar portrays.