COMMENT I have always have had problems with Parti Keadilan Rakyat wanting to call itself Keadilan, as such I am happy that the housestyle at my place of employment is to name them PKR.

It is also shorter, and in online media, shorter has always been our Holy Grail and touted to be sweeter. At least that is what my editors and sub-editors keep telling me.

But back to why I don’t agree with naming PKR as Keadilan, my problem is largely because of the fact that the party tries to brand itself as the party that fights for universal justice.

However, it is no secret that their primary purpose is to fight for keadilan, or justice, for its de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim. They do fight for justice in other regards, but I personally think that is to a lesser extent.

However, for the record I have no issue with the necessity to fight for justice for Anwar.

If he has been wronged and his conviction seemed railroaded through the system which is supposed to embody justice, and it does seem likely by some accounts, then he deserves justice and it should be fought for.

It is only that I feel that politicians and political parties should be fighting for justice for the rakyat, and not the other way around.

And as Anwar’s family and loyalists who dominate the party have always exhorted, its members and supporters are fighting for justice for him.

It may be their choice but it sticks in my craw that they only sound the bell of justice when it is their de facto leader and do not really make as much ado for the general injustices per se.

But be that as it may, again I understand the need to focus on Anwar, because quite frankly PKR and the opposition pact need him, and they need him badly.

For without him PKR is faced with a fracturing civil war, the opposition coalition flounders as they bicker in the political sea, and right now both are like beached whales that risk drowning.

Without Anwar’s strong personality holding the opposition parties together and the weight of his charisma that can call everyone to the meeting table, the opposition pact is nothing.

Yes, his powerful presence continues to overshadow both the opposition and the BN even from behind bars, but thus chained, the effects of his influence are diminished.