Will history repeat itself?

The mobile phone began to ring. It was the office, and the person at the other end had only three things to say. 'He has been sacked, there could be trouble, be prepared'. This was Sept 2, 1998.

What followed next for the 22-year-old rookie reporter was a roller-coaster ride, peppered with riots, tear gas and water cannons.

For days, the pavement served as a bed and dinner was usually the bland tasting 'Laksa Reformasi' purchased from one of the many stalls which dotted the road leading to Anwar Ibrahim's house in Bukit Damansara.

Thousands thronged the bungalow to hear the man speak, and later huddled in groups to discuss the issues he raised and speculate on his future.

The reporter was both thrilled and irritated. Thrilled because he was up close and personal with the (former) deputy prime minister and being part of history. Irritated because Anwar was affecting the simplicity of his life.

So when he was arrested, the reporter felt a tinge of sadness but also a sense of relief that his ordeal had drawn to an end.

But during those many nights at his house, the reporter had the privilege of meeting a wide range of individuals, laymen and elitists alike. Partaking in the numerous discussions, he found two common points.

The first was that those present had little doubt that Anwar was a victim of a political conspiracy authored by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his cohorts. It was a power struggle and the latter had won.

The second was that Anwar might have been able to avoid this cruel twist of fate if he had only exercised a little patience and restraint.

Fast forward.

The resurrection

On Aug 26, 2008, the maverick politician announced his return to the premier league with a resounding victory in his former stronghold of Permatang Pauh. He was subsequently made parliamentary opposition leader.

Several months earlier, he had somehow convinced the opposition parties, including the Islamists and secularists, to reach a consensus to fight a common enemy in the March 8 polls.

The end result was spectacular.

Following this, Anwar announced the formation of an opposition alliance comprising strange bedfellows as an option to Barisan Nasional, the very coalition he had come so close to spearheading a decade earlier.

The master politician had returned from the political wilderness to stamp his mark as a relevant force despite all the odds.

Banished from the corridors of power to the confines of a prison cell, from being protected by the police to being assaulted by the police, from witnessing friends becoming foes and foes becoming friends, he has endured it all. A lesser man would have simply cracked.

His nemesis, Mahathir - who is blessed with longevity and a sound mind - is still around to witness the resurrection and he is not pleased.

But great or otherwise, everyone has an Achilles' Heel.

Rushing again?

Since the opposition's astounding performance in the national polls, Anwar has been claiming that he would be able to launch a political coup soon with the defection of ruling parliamentarians.

One cannot help but wonder if the politician is rushing again. Would his lack of patience invite a repeat of history?

Is the fledgling opposition alliance he leads capable of the herculean task of administering a country, especially with a wafer-thin parliamentary majority?

Should the defections happen, could one expect the present ruling coalition to simply hand over the reins after being in power since independence?

Would the clash of personal political ambitions and vendettas send the country reeling into chaos and uncertainty?

Yes, the general sentiment favours change. But should we push for immediate reforms, throwing caution to the wind, or demand that everyone get their act together to provide us with truly viable options?

Even the well-oiled Barisan Nasional is now squeaking and creaking under pressure.

These are some of the tricky questions which must be addressed by all responsible politicians and citizens.

Solid alternative

One political observer noted that since Barisan Nasional appears to be coming apart at the seams, the opposition leader could simply sit back and watch the fireworks.

According to him, while the ruling coalition struggles to keep itself afloat, Anwar could concentrate on cementing the opposition alliance's grip on the five states under its control.

He could also work on strengthening the ties between the ideologically diverse parties which make up the alliance and therefore avoid internal conflicts.

So when the next general election comes around, Malaysians would have a strong and solid alternative instead of having to choose between the devil and the deep blue sea.

And should the alliance win, then Anwar would become the democratically elected prime minister and have the moral authority to rule the nation without being accused of snatching power through unethical means.

Right now, the observer noted, the change being peddled is nothing more than a romantic notion without any concrete measures put in place.

However, some of Anwar's supporters begged to differ.

They argue that the charismatic politician does not have the luxury of time given the sodomy trial he is facing.

Convinced that it is another conspiracy, they claim that his rivals would not hesitate to throw him back in jail in order to neutralize the threat.

Regardless of how this episode pans out, one thing is for certain. Malaysia is witnessing the next chapter of its political evolution. Hopefully, for all our sakes, it works out for the best.

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RK ANAND is a member of the Malaysiakini team.