Before the recent general elections, Pak Lah projected a religious image, saying publicly that he would be judged by God if he abuses the trust that has been put on him. Many of the rakyat believed his words and voted for him.

Indeed, if he rules justly, his place in the Hereafter will be an envious one, honoured and protected in God's shade on the Day of Judgement. On the other hand, if he does not, then he will be damned for all eternity.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has warned us that any man whom God has given the authority of ruling some people and he does not look after them in an honest manner, will never enter Paradise ( Bukhari 9.264).

Pak Lah has now been granted immense power - all the power needed to undo past wrongs and injustices, the most pressing of which is that which has been inflicted on Anwar Ibrahim . It has caused Anwar and his family terrible pain and suffering, which, even as I write, are getting worse by the day.

It has divided the Malays especially, as never before. Pak Lah understands how the Malays voted in 1999, and again in 2004. The wound has not really healed. Anwar is still the single largest divisive issue.

It has also attracted condemnation from all fair-minded Muslims and non-Muslims alike, in this country and abroad. Enough doubts have been cast on the validity of the charges against Anwar, and the way the trials were conducted.

Inter alia, the highly respected late Justice Harun Hashim had said that had the cases been brought before him, he would have thrown them out of his court on the very first day. Pak Lah has nobly said that he will not interfere with the judiciary, although he has inherited the power to do so.

But should he simply stand on the sidelines and watch, whilst others (whose interests are other than justice) do?

As Muslims, let us remember how Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described a man who asked God why he was being punished in the grave. The man was told:

'You passed by an oppressed person but did not help him." ( Fiqh-us-Sunnah 4.89b).

Thus, all God-fearing Muslims will stay on course in trying to help Anwar, for as long as he is oppressed. Pak Lah, please use your power for reconciliation. The country cannot go on bleeding like this.

Even if it is true what they say, that Anwar was your political adversary at one time, maybe it is time to stop and reflect on what a famous leader once said: 'I destroy my enemies when I make them my friends' - Abraham Lincoln.