What is now commonly referred to as the Sodomy 2 case
involves the Government’s prosecution of Anwar for his allegedly homosexual
activities with one Saiful Bahari in 2008. Many of us are fed up that so much
of the country’s time and resources (Anwar’s legal woes have dragged on for 17
years now) have been spent on trying to prove that Anwar is a homosexual.
In
this Islamic country, no one has been prosecuted for this offence except Anwar.
Why has there been no one sent to jail for this offence since Merdeka? The only
conclusion is that the Government is so afraid of Anwar and his friends in the
Pakatan Rakyat that they need to put him behind bars. Commentators somehow like
to ignore this point, as I have mentioned before.
One
aspect to this case that is deeply troubling is the mandatory jail sentence
that the judges will have to impose if they find him guilty. It’s harsh and
cruel to send a man—and old man at that—to jail for at least five years for a
sexual conduct. Parliament should take out the mandatory period prescribed in
the Penal Code and leave the sentencing to the wisdom of the trial judge.
If
Parliament has a bigger appetite for change, then they should repeal Section
377A altogether. It’s just a matter of time before another political opponent
is prosecuted and sent to jail for offences “against the order of nature”, if
this provision remains. This section, which includes many sexual activities
even the top guys in Putrajaya probably find irresistible and indulge in, is
totally archaic and should be repealed, in line with other modern countries.
Anwar’s
speech in Permatang Pauh on Saturday 8 February reminding Muslims and Malays
about the dangers of extremism was both timely and true. Even if they
incarcerate him, do not despair. There is no one who can replace his charisma,
but there are many who will not abandon the struggle he has led.
Although
the present Government have maligned him and managed to convince some
Malays—including those in PAS—about the “dangers” of his leadership, I believe
there will be many more who will see no alternative to UMNO’s destructive
hegemony, except through the political beliefs that Anwar has started. Even if
he is imprisoned, his friends in the Pakatan as well as those outside the
political framework will collectively shoulder the task of rebuilding our now
tattered country.
In
the end, it matters little whether Anwar goes to jail or not, except to himself
and his family. The fascists have not succeeded anywhere, although they were
able to inflict much harm and caused loss of lives. The human spirit and its
quest for justice and fairness for all is a much stronger force than the clever
lies of the racists and religious bigots. No amount of falsehood and
propaganda, whether couched in racial or religious terms, can ultimately divide
this country for ever. Malaya and now Malaysia has tasted the wonders of unity
and harmony, albeit in relatively short spells, but the people want to be
united again.
Anwarm
your message and your dream have broken the barrier erected by your erstwhile
colleagues in UMNO and they will not be able to resist it for much longer. Time
will bring to fruition a united and happier Malaysia once again.
