Plato, a philosopher of Ancient Greek epitomised that "if the law is the master of the government and the government is its slave, than the situation is full of promise and men enjoy all the blessings that the gods shower on the state"
Aristotle, another Ancient Greek's philosopher opposed giving the highest official the authority to wield absolute power and advocated that "It is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens: upon the same principle, if it is advantangeous to place the supreme power in some particular persons, they should be appointed to be guardians and servants of the laws"
Today, it is called "the rule of law".
Politicans who have been allowed to become too powerful have shown little or no respect for the rule of law.Those that had become cult figures ended up as tyrants and mass murderers.From Stalin to Hitler and nearer home in Asia, Pol Pot of Cambodia, the modern world have seen a fair share of genocidal tyrants ruling by their own decree rather than the rule of laws.
The "Arab Spring" which swept through the Middle Eastern Arab countries were consequences of the abrogation of fundamental human rights and the rule of law, which, in this modern civilisation, should even override divine law.
Many political pundits made wrong predictions of the outcome of Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trail, most say he would be convicted with long period of incarceration and some suggesting there would be an appeal by the prosecution in the event he was found not guilty, which I do not doubt if the Prime Minister lends his ears to the wrong people.
Anwar had been given due process of the law, an appeal would again ignite sympathy for him and makes Najib seemingly afraid of a fair contest. Taking Anwar on a level playing field, is the thing that Najib should do, it would give him due respect.
A free Anwar is of less political threat to the BN than Anwar in the prison, or hanging the sword of Damocles over his head. The old UMNO ways of politics of intimidation and war mongering do not sell anymore.It's time these antiquated politicians wake up and make an exit and let more progressive and younger men take over.
It was Mahathir and UMNO that made Anwar a national hero, otherwise, he would have joined the likes of Musa Hitam and Tengku Razaleigh, waiting in political purgatory, not knowing when the doors to heaven would open.
Musa Hitam had given up hoping completely, Razaleigh, still aspires the highest office, but with Anwar a free man, the chance of him becoming PM has sunk to ground zero.The opposition do not need a replacement prime minister simply because they would not be anywhere near Putrajaya.After the blistering attack at his own party they would not be needing him anymore.This good man is only good for Gua Musang.He has not been able to capture Kelantan for the party for the past two decades.
Najib has a good chance of winning the 13th GE.He should not be afraid to weed out the warlords in his party and those who insist to continue riding the gravy train.These are the losers who are going to drag him down if he does not act now.
As for Anwar, the AG should not appeal, just leave him to the elements and a fair fight against Najib.
Posted:Barcelona
