I refer to the Malaysiakini’s report Anwar: I am not a chameleon .

Anwar Ibrahim claim that he is not a politician who can change colours in a jiffy depending on the situation is debatable. During his heyday, the former premier’s decisions and actions were questionable but now that he is out of power, he seems to be singing a different tune. Six years in the slammer due to trumped-up charges might have made him a changed man. We should at least give him the benefit of the doubt.

‘Karma Chameleon’, the song made famous by Boy George and Culture Club in 1983 is the right phrase to describe our present government leaders. These so-called leaders will say one thing but do anything, including lying through their teeth, to get away with misdeeds exposed in public. They will change colours to suit the situation and will say different things to different crowds. Most of the time, their words does not match their deeds. They have no principles and will bend the country’s rules and laws to become rich instantly.

Anwar happens to be the opposition’s torchbearer to become Malaysia’s fifth prime minister if the opposition manages to dislodge the present regime at the coming polls. But that is a tall order as our government is made up of the same parties since independence. They are entrenched in our political scene and will not be easily replaced.

We are not a mature nation like other First World nations such as the US, the UK or Australia where governments can change hands after general elections without hitches.

Considering that nearly 50,000 people showed up for Anwar’s speech in Alor Star, it makes us wonder if the winds of change are blowing there too. After all, Kedah, Penang and Selangor has been identified as ‘hot spots’ where the ruling parties might lose big in the coming polls due people’s dissatisfaction towards government policies which affect their rice bowls.

The Malay community has already made their voices heard during the Bersih rally regarding election irregularities. The Indian community voiced their grievances at the Hindraf rally about the abject poverty amongst the poor and downtrodden Indians in this country. Even the Chinese are grumbling that business is bad nowadays with more businesses closing down due to the poor economic climate and foreign investors venturing to other places with better business environment.

Heaven knows how the ruling parties are going to face the people at the coming general elections. Issues of endemic corruption and price increases have incurred the anger of voters.

Even with all the government machinery and a one-sided Election Commission at their disposal, the ruling parties might lose big if Anwar can marshal crowds to the opposition side in the coming polls.

That will the present regime’s worst nightmare. But they will use every trick in the book to secure victory in the coming polls. But it is anybody’s guess as to who people will vote for. It will be interesting to see if Pak Lah has to make way for others if he loses big.

If this happens, the question is who will replace him as premier? Will it be the present deputy prime minister or the former deputy premier? Who says Malaysian politics is dull?