From beyond the grave, he accomplished what many of the living had failed to do: Shake the foundation of that inviolable fortress called Barisan Nasional (BN).

After ruling this nation for decades, all it took to plunge the coalition into a state of alarm was a simple move from the pages of Democracy 101.

Who would have imagined that a memo inked by nine ministers politely requesting the premier to review certain laws, which they felt were rather unfair to non-Muslims, could have such an impact.

The media painted the town red since in all its timidity, this was the first official dissent to have leaked out of the cabinet's sturdy doors.

Some criticised Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for losing control over his ministers who in the past were kept on a tight leash by his predecessor.

On the contrary, Abdullah should be commended for instilling two remarkable qualities in his subordinates, cerebration and valour.

Politics versus concern

So why did the nine do it?

The religious conversion saga was a bolt from the blue. Nobody had expected the spectre of a forgotten wheelchair-bound Malaysian hero to venture beyond the obituary pages.

But it did, it ventured to the court and then, right up to the doorstep of the administrative capital.

Works Minister S Samy Vellu - whose party MIC was formed to serve and protect the Indian community in this country - found himself in a quandary.

His party was being upstaged by numerous other Hindu/Indian organisations which began to champion the issue with great zeal. Non-Muslim opposition parties had also pounced on it and pressure began to mount on MIC.

At coffee shops and stalls (the epicentres of Malaysian politics) discontent began to brew alongside the tea. To maintain its relevance and with the MIC elections around the corner, something had to be done. The president signs on the dotted line.

But the spectre also ventured beyond the peripheries of race and creed. It became the icon of an interfaith movement. Christians, Buddhists, Sikhs and just about anyone who looked up to the heavens had voiced their concern.

Since the electoral roll houses a large number of Christian and Buddhist Chinese voters, MCA could no longer ignore the haunting. Hence, party president and transport minister Ong Ka Ting and three other leaders unsheathe their pens.

The MCA inkshed puts its intra-coalition rival Gerakan in a spot. The predominantly Chinese multiethnic party is also concerned about the same set of voters. So president and veteran minister Lim Keng Yaik joins the rebellion.

Although concerned about an entirely different electoral roll, ministers Peter Chin, Bernard Dompok and Maximus Ongkili could not afford to overlook the strong religious sentiments in the Far East. They too ink the memo.

There are times when truth can be stranger than fiction. So it is only fair that we give these ministers the benefit of the doubt that they had signed the memorandum out of genuine concern for their respective communities and faiths.

But if it was politically motivated, the strategy had definitely backfired.

For after careful deliberation - taking less than 48 hours - the premier junked the memo and opened the floodgates to a sea of criticism.

Far from being heralded as heroes, many urged the ministers to ink their resignation letters instead since their voices carried no weight in the Umno-dominated coalition.

Enter the critics

PAS went ballistic and accused the nine of challenging Islam. Rightfully so, since the party is not overly concerned about Hindu, Christian, Buddhist or Sikh voters.

Refusing to be outdone as the same voters seal its fate, Umno joined in the flay. However, the parent party could not be seen as assuming a hardline religious stand so it gets the Youth to sound the clarion call.

Keeping in touch with reality, the deputy premier, who is aware that behind those racial harmony advertisements churned out by the Information Ministry, lies a fragile social fabric, cautioned against any similar moves in the future that could unnecessarily rile up the public or hurt Umno which he is to inherit.

Operating on a similar wavelength, many other ministers also urged their peers to adhere to the BN tradition and raise their grouses behind closed doors.

One interesting departure was International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz, who - as long as it did not concern Approved Permits - felt that the nine had merely exercised their duty and provided input.

So what next?

S Kaliammal, the widow of M Moorthy, is expected to file an appeal.

Certain quarters claim that it is the lawyers and not the client who are keen in keeping this case alive due to its high-profile nature.

While others argue that it is no longer the concern of just one bereaved family but has become a national issue affecting millions. Hence, it should not be laid to rest with the Everest hero.

Whatever the reason, it would be unwise to expect a groundbreaking judgment after all that has happened in the past two months.

The darker side

But laws amended or not, there is another, much darker, side to this story.

The truth is that many of these voices heard now were painfully silent when Moorthy needed them most. For years, he had dwelled invisibly amongst us and left behind a legacy of sorrow and anguish.

As for the MIC and Hindu organisations, they would do great honour to the memory of this late soldier if they could, amid their calls for constitutional reform, include a simple lobby for the construction of wheelchair ramps at places of worship.

Even if Moorthy was a practicing Hindu as claimed by his widow, gaining entry into most temples independently would have been next to impossible.

There are even temples which forbid those on wheelchairs from entering their hallowed grounds for the fear that dirty wheels would desecrate their purity.

So may be this it is not about religion after all but rather an issue concerning basic human rights?

May be it is about the neglect of people with disabilities, the lack of accessibility, financial aid, employment opportunities as well as proper rehabilitation and counseling programs.

May be it concerns a child having to witness her father become paralysed, slip into depression, struggle to make ends meet and then whisked away by death?

May be it is time for change...on a more earthly plane.

Rest in peace M Moorthy alias Muhammad Abdullah. God willing, you are in a better place now.

RK ANAND is a member of the malaysiakini team.