LETTER | Anwar's confidence vote also tests his backers' integrity

LETTER | There is some concern whether Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will survive the vote of confidence when Parliament convenes on Dec 19, 2022.

The reason for this concern is based on the fact whether Umno can be trusted at this crucial stage to stand solidly with the government.

If Umno, for instance, is assured by Perikatan Nasional chairperson president Muhyiddin Yassin and company that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will be appointed as PM if Anwar is toppled on Dec 19, will that lead to betrayal?

Power is too tempting, far too intoxicating, certainly highly persuasive to care for principles and ethics.

Rumour has it that former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and other Umno leaders had purportedly skipped the recent Umno supreme council meeting and headed for Jakarta. Another rumour swirling around has it that Muhyiddin had also made a beeline to Jakarta.

(Editor’s note: Ismail Sabri has denied meeting Muhyiddin in Jakarta, calling it slander, and has instructed his lawyers to take legal action over the matter.)

Does this suggest that something is brewing? Is something being hatched and plotted against Anwar? This is worrying.

Is a “Jakarta move” shaping up for Monday when Parliament meets? Given the infamous Sheraton move of 2020 that toppled then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, is this too far-fetched or a real possibility that may take all of us by surprise?

To compound the worrying situation, we are informed today by Jelebu MP Jalaluddin Alias that the BN MPs have not received any instructions to support Anwar the prime minister.

According to Jalaluddin, “There are no specific instructions given by BN’s top leadership to its MPs to support the prime minister in the vote of confidence motion in Parliament on Dec 19.”

The vote of confidence will take place in five days’ time. Is it not totally flabbergasting that this important issue was not discussed at the recent Umno supreme council meeting? That question mark denotes a puzzle.

If Umno is surely and truly part of the government, shouldn’t this be discussed and decided, at the latest, a week before Parliament convenes on Monday? What is the reason for not instructing the BN MPs to support the prime minister even at this late hour? Are we spot on in suspecting that something is indeed brewing at the last minute?

On Monday not only Anwar’s fate will be decided, but he will also know who his friends are!

This is why I say that the integrity of those who had pledged their support will also be tested on Monday. Will their integrity be sacrificed for power and greed?

If this were to happen, Malaysians - besides condemning this betrayal - must make sure that these rogues and scoundrels will never have any future in Malaysian politics. More than that, their parties must also be buried for good.

It would be a sad day for Malaysia if Anwar’s tenure is cut short. He carries our hopes and dreams and promises a better governance that will be accountable, transparent, and responsible. It will be a tragedy if this happens especially when we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

Robbing Anwar’s opportunity to serve our beloved country is denying us a great future and a better Malaysia.

This speculated betrayal, if it takes place, it will be a lesson for us to remember that “Some of the most poisonous people come disguised as friends and family.”

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.