It has been almost three weeks since the unthinkable happened. Unthinkable, because apart from a handful, the rest of us were taken by surprise with Anwar Ibrahim's release. I, for one, thought the judiciary would not find any 'loophole' to free him of his sodomy conviction.

However, much has happened since that eventful, some may even call it historical, day. Anwar was subsequently flown to Germany where he underwent a successful surgery for his slipped disc and is now well enough to jog.

In his plush room at Munich's Alpha Klinik, the former deputy prime minister has been receiving a continuous stream of visitors, ranging from reformasi supporters to world leaders.

Back home, after the initial euphoria, local newspapers have reverted to giving Anwar the token one column or 10-paragraph worth of space. A stark contrast with the numerous interviews still being published by the foreign media.

Nevertheless his popularity is still soaring high. His release in turn injected a new wave of optimism among his supporters. Even the neutrals are now keen to see what positive changes he will bring about.

Double-edged sword

No doubt, he is in a better bargaining position than any other politician in the country at the moment and no party would close its doors to him, except for Umno that is.

As for Umno, Anwar's release is a double-edged sword. It can help push the party forward but it can also bring about another round of purging, and even perhaps a damaging permanent division.

Let me be specific here.

Despite Anwar's assurances that he does not want to return to Umno and the party's decision not to allow him in anyway, we are all politically astute (or at least we think we are) to know that nothing is permanent in politics.

Politicians never close any doors permanently and no one can say what will happen in the next five years, especially when the ban on Anwar's political activities expires.

If he joins Umno, he will find it easier to implement his promised reforms, as it is easier to do so from within. However, this may also lead to many present Umno leaders - especially those who did not side Anwar in 1998 - being sidelined, or even subjected to permanent political retirement. And believe me, many top names would be on that list.

What's the situation now?

However, all these are mere speculation and we leave that for the future. As for the present, these are the definitive facts:

1. Anwar has rejected returning to Umno.

2. Umno does not want him either.

3. Parti Keadilan Rakyat wants him to lead the party now, but he is unable to do so due to the political ban.

4. PAS and the opposition front Barisan Alternatif would love to have him as a symbolic head.

5. Anwar has resolved to 'focus on the unity of Malaysians in the interest of political stability, economic growth and progress for all'.

But what does this mean to the regular Joes? And what can Anwar do for them? Can he help them upgrade their living status? Will he be able to rid the country of all racial prejudices? Can he offer a Malaysian race with justice for all, respect for human rights and accountability?

These are the questions that he needs to answer right away. And he needs to come clean as to how he will do this, especially in the light of his repeated calls for the 'unity of Malaysians'.

Difficult task at hand

Going by the present political scenario, one would imagine that it is going to be a difficult task for Anwar given the unprecedented support enjoyed by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his government.

How is Anwar going to sway that support away from Abdullah? He has not addressed these issues in any of the many interviews with the foreign media.

I hope and pray, as I believe many other neutral bystanders will, that Anwar is just not going to rely on his charisma and charms, eliciting public sympathy for his mistreatment, to gain popular support, but without being able to do anything tangible.

Rather than issuing denials of joining Umno and giving press interviews about what happened six years ago and how he spent his time in prison, he should swiftly outline his proposals to implement his vision for Malaysia.

It is going to take the shrewd politician in him to be able to do just that as he has to meander through various interest groups, affected parties and conflicting agendas to justify his call for speedier reforms. Harder still will be the manner in which he implements them.

Until that happens, I guess, we will just have to wait and speculate, what Anwar can do for us.


K KABILAN is malaysiakini's chief news editor.