Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi could have been the hero who rights wrongs, stands for justice, and brings healing to the Malay people and the nation at large.

He has had the opportunity to do what most Malaysians know is within his power and jurisdiction to do. He did not and dared not do anything other than maintain the status quo.

On Jan 21, the judiciary acted unjustly and shamefully in denying bail to former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, when this is granted in similar cases. It is now evident that Anwar is not a common criminal but a victim of political spite.

Abdullah said he has met with the judiciary to tell the judges that they should act independently. That the judiciary is independent should need no reminder, unless it is not.

The mere fact that the judiciary speaks to the executive begs the question as to how often this happens.

Unless justice peeps through her blindfold, she needs no reminder that she has a commitment to the constitution to be independent and just.

I believe the public and Abdullah's associates in Umno and Barisan Nasional have come to view him as the status quo prime minister.

His rhetoric over the past three months has not matched the actions of his administration. The people are tired of waiting. It is not good enough to catch a few Customs officers at the border with more money than they should have.

I think the people are tired of graft, corruption and injustice - and we are talking about the millions and billions of ringgit that have been siphoned and unaccounted for over the last decade. We want transparency and accountability. The rakyat want justice!