I have been an ardent admirer of Anwar Ibrahim and a strong supporter of the Pakatan Rakyat. But that is all being severely tested with what is now happening in the Bukit Selambau by-election.

Let it be first known that I have no personal interest in the Bukit Selambau by-election at all nor am I writing because the grapes are sour. I am totally on the side of the people, on the side of truth and on the side of justice and I will not stand for treachery wherever it comes from

In the first place, the by-election is occurring under murky circumstances in which the former rep resigned – rumor has it that, that former rep was under a variety of pressure.

Then, when the replacement for him was sought, it turns out to be a a political novice and a relatively unknown figure as if all the wisdom of the senior members of the party does not matter anymore.

This has some very serious implications for all of us. Let me try and explain.

First, what this really amounts to, is cronyism, Umno-style cronyism. During Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s time Daim Zainudin and Tajudin Ramli ruled the day and during Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s time, it was Khairy who called the shots. But we can pass all that off as Umno stuff which we all are trying to get rid of anyway.

But we see the same thing happening now in the very movement we are all part of to change things. The assimilation by the enemy (though in an opaque way) into our budding democracy movement is seen by the dissipation of the idealism.

What does democracy mean if the people’s wishes are not to be considered? What seems to matter is the wish of the elite or the leader and a group of his cronies They can just strut in and make decisions with impunity, totally insensitive to the wishes of the representatives of the people. Is not this what we all accuse Umno of doing? What is the difference? If this is happening at this early stage, I shudder at the thought of what could happen when Pakatan takes over the reins of government.

So will we really have more democracy when Pakatan takes over? We are all banking on that. But will we?

The second point is equally significant. One of the charges leveled against the Umno government was the way they used the mandor system to keep the poor Indians in their utterly depressed and marginalised state. By this I mean a system where a group of subservient Indians in the form of the MIC are thrown some crumbs so they may keep the Indians in a state of ignorance, poverty and deprivation.

They used the likes of S Samy Vellu and a bunch of his sycophants to achieve this. Strong leaders were not allowed to emerge from within the Indian community – not that there were any, but they were all totally blocked, by the system.

Look at the Indians who are in leadership positions in industry in the private sector; there are so many and they are extremely capable as leaders. But look at the MIC, zero! This is the design of the last fifty years – thanks to Umno.

Now look at what our dear friend Anwar is trying to create in PKR. We have one Dato Ravi and then we have the meek Indians that they are trying to portray in PKR as their Indian reps. Anwar does not seem to want strong Indian leaders, something that the Indian community so badly needs.

So what we have is a ditto of the past fifty years trying to emerge for the next fifty years – old wine in a new bottle. If I am wrong, can someone please explain the rationale for a political novice and a totally unknown to be selected as a candidate for the Bkt Selambau state seat?

This in spite of the fact that there were five very good alternative candidates offered. Compare this with the reasonable choice for Bukit Gantang. If I am wrong, let some senior PKR leader come out and refute what I am saying.

I want for the old ways to change. But that change must not be in rhetoric only, the change must be in the substance and in the processes of our society and government The change has to be real.

First, Anwar himself has got to get real . He cannot delude himself into thinking that he is invincible. He cannot get intoxicated with his popularity. What I am saying can snowball into a total schism between Anwar and the Indian community if he continues with these insensitive ways.

This may cause a swing back to the enemy of the enemy (as they say). They are just waiting around the corner. The Umno elections are now over and there is a lot of talk of change within Umno and the new leadership is a crafty one. Just as they in their wisdom caused marginalisation, they may now get equally wise to make up for it. Do not hand the opportunity to them, dear Anwar.

All the Indians are seeking is a fair and just system where they are not blocked. Do not block them, Anwar. Do not commit the mistakes of your nemesis in being insensitive to the needs of the people.

If Nov 25, 2007 happened, it happened because of the seething anger that accumulated over many instances like this. As what Tok Guru recently said, when the Umno government banned Harakah , it will only cause the people to benci the government.

The implications are very clear to all of us. Ugly, old tendencies are trying to re-emerge in new forms, to corrupt and to kill off the positive new tendencies in our society. We, the people should not allow this to happen.

I am writing about this now, so it may be nipped in the bud. I do not fear that what I am saying may be taken by the Umno-MIC combination and twisted during the upcoming by-elections to win votes. Principles are more important than influence at these critical moments.

Viva la Makkal!