Guilty is something predicted, but not the 9-year jail sentence. What makes it outrageous is the sentence will not be concurrent. Anwar has to serve for 15 years altogether. What more can one say no matter how different can one be except what is being done unto him is something ruthless and merciless.

Hearing the verdict one should imagine beyond a political affliction. His future in politics is not of our concern now, but it is his regular life as a human that we care the most given the fact that the prosecutors have without doubt failed to prove him guilty as charged. It does not take a genius to figure out of his innocence although through the partial court proceedings and questionable evidences presented.

During Mahathir's era, many times the impossible turns out to become the possible. But when it comes to reaching a verdict, the turnout shocks us a lot more. It hurts our feeling and it challenges our beliefs and principles. It saddens when the authority compromises such actions. It is well acknowledged that in the country of ours the executives have a little more power over the judiciaries. Apparently, however, the little more power has been mistakenly underestimated.

One can understand the initial intention is nothing but a result from a political dissidence. However, one cannot perceive the extent of which things have gone extremely way out of hands. To still holding to the same standoff opinion and position while a person's dignity and rights in jeopardy is a very unbecoming and totally ridiculous.

The government, particularly UMNO, owes to the public a comprehensive explanation and a full responsibility. The police, the judges, the ministers and whoever holds the share of the power ought to fulfil the obligation of committing the rightful duties by not yielding to anyone in particular.

Well apparently, ironically enough, Mahathir who once championed the country's prosperity has now become a problem to almost everyone -- especially to UMNO and the Malay to mention a few.

To the Muslims in the country, he has been a daring critic to the basic teaching of which should be followed without questions and doubts. To him, rules such as wearing veil is merely a matter of interpretation -- PAS interpretation in this very case. Many time the matter has become a subject of mockery to ridicule his opponents without he himself realizing he is actually mocking the vast majority of the Muslims in this country.

To the nation, he nurtures racial sentiments by planting a 'ghostly fear' from the 30-year-old May 13 racial riots. Developing trust among all the races to maintain social concordance will not be in the list of his main agenda. He is but an opportunist who is willing to do almost anything as long as he stays in power, although what has been done will pose the public with trouble later.

To Anwar, however, his staying in power means for the next 13 years, a decent, rightful life with wife and children will be stripped and deprived.

Zubir Ngah,
Teluk Lipat, Dungun Trg.
August 8, 2000