While we welcome back Anwar Ibrahim into the political arena, it is not certain what kind of politics he is going to promote in the future. Anwar might ultimately join Umno on the grounds of his attraction to its power, but right now he seems to be focused on galvanising politics related to civil society organisations and the opposition parties.

The real challenge for Anwar is not in strengthening the opposition front, but rather in formulating politics on a higher plane so that Malaysians would be prepared to move away from ethnic and other forms of sectarian politics.

However, there are no indications how Anwar is going to envisage his future role and how he is going to sow the seeds of non-racial politics in the country. He faces a formidable task in creating the emergence of a new politics, but then there is no short cut. And of course, at the same time, the attraction of power politics related to ethnicity is very real and seductive.

Even if Anwar is contemplating a move away from ethnicity, he faces the challenge of addressing the needs of certain ethnic minorities that have been long alienated from the mainstream politics of Malay political and cultural hegemony.

Is Anwar sensitive to the needs of these marginalised communities and will the new politics that he envisions accommodate them? Not least, is Anwar himself prepared to intellectually and politically challenge the ingrained concept of Malay hegemony?

While credit and support should be given to Anwar for trying to come back into Malaysian politics with an added zeal, concerned Malaysians are doubtful that he will have statesmanship to go beyond the pulls of popularity.

But then it is not going to be simple for him. He can talk about of revitalising civil society and opposition parties and about trying to change the age-old habits of our political culture but will the present administration be democratic enough to provide the political space for Anwar to operate and implement his ideas?

Malaysians are ready for new ideas. But Anwar should ensure that his pledges and visions are not merely for short-term interests but are there to create a modern, progressive and caring society.