Martin Jalleh has indeed given 10 good reasons why Anwar should be granted bail. They are founded in law and plain fair play.

Malaysians, whatever their political affiliation, should recognise and accept this first.

Then there is the fear of the damage that Anwar could wreak o­n Umno's already fragile structure and subsequently pose a threat to the hegemony of the government.

If Anwar is a spent force why not 'release' him? At present he is the o­nly person that can galvanise the 'sleeping' reformists in our midst and create a movement capable of making a huge dent in the BN's elections prospects - that's why. At least that is what Mahathir and company are worried about. It has nothing to do with national security.

Anwar is definitely no Nelson Mandela, but this government is not about to take any chances. That is why he will unfortunately not be granted bail, at the expense of the aforementioned law and plain fair play.

At the end of the day, the most basic of human need - survival - supercedes everything else. Make no bones about it, there is a lot at stake and this unabashed clinging o­n to power o­nly confirms the magnitude of their unholy intentions.