Consultants have advised jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim to undergo surgery quickly or risk being paralysed.

Even as early as 2001, Anwar had opted to undergo endoscopic surgery at the Alpha Clinic in Munich, Germany. He refused surgery which had been arranged by the government in a local hospital due to fears of "bad things which can happen to him whilst being operated on".

It is not difficult to understand why he does not have confidence in the government in view of the injuries he suffered at the hands of then Inspector-General of Police Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor, during investigations into his case.

It is also easy to understand why he is certain that he is the victim of a conspiracy to neutralise/destroy him.

As such, the assurances of Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek that the (local) operation has a 99 percent success rate and would only take 60 to 90 minutes to perform cannot help Anwar to overcome his fears.

This is not because Anwar does not believe in local consultants, but because he does not believe in the government which has antagonised him.

Anwar's family has no option but to support his stance. And, in turn, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is similarly compelled to respect the stance and to insist that he is treated in Germany, even though they are well aware that the request has been repeatedly turned down by the government since 2001.

A new era

Anwar's operation has become a dilemma for himself, his family, PKR and the government, a dilemma which can only be resolved in one of these ways.

First, the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, in particular Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, admits that the option to have the operation carried out in Munich is Anwar's right, as had been confirmed by the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam).

Now is the most opportune time for Abdullah - now that he has won the Umno presidency uncontested - to establish a position which distances himself from the political conspiracy to neutralise/destroy Anwar.

This will officially denote the dawn of the new Abdullah era, as former premier Dr Mahahtir Mohamad has long retired and has diminishing influence.

Since the Mahathir era had often been linked with despotism, especially after his confrontation began with Anwar, would it not be wonderful for the Abdullah era to kick off with a manifestation of the spirit of humanity in the form of Anwar being allowed to undergo treatment in Munich as per his choice?

Second, July 22 is a historical day which can mark 'the peak of the age of Dark Justice', an event which should be celebrated with much denigration of that age, as a sign that all supporters of justice and truth will never ever have to bow to all forms of despotism.

It can also start the revival of judicial independence if the court can free itself from political manipulation and constraints and allow Anwar to be released on bail as is the normal practice for cases such as his.

Third, by using the reformist approach with the emotions and determination manifested in the writings of Mohd Zukri Aksah and Cucu Mat Kilau.

Mohd Zukri Aksah asked in his programme, "Apakah Anwar perlu mati untuk membangkitkan perjuangan rakyat?" (Must Anwar die in order for the people to rise up?)

"Why is Anwar's right to go for treatment in Munich, Germany still being denied? Is there not even some small amount of humanity and compassion for Anwar in our national leaders, and leaders in Umno and BN, who were also once friends of Anwar! Why has Pak Lah continued to keep silent?"

"If such is the situation, we must do something noisy, so noisy that the sound reaches through the deafness of our national leaders and leaders in Umno and BN, as well as the deafness of the rakyat. Noise which will make us all stop, turn around, see and hear!"

Continue the battle

Cucu Mat Kilau, in his work, Antara perjuangan dan penderitaan (Between the battle and suffering), tried to revive the spirit of reform and bring it to a boil.

He wrote: "Cucu still remembers words which Anwar said before: If you are not brave enough to face the risks, what is the use of discussing about the battle? Is this risk (of paralysis) the risk he meant, and one which must be borne by Anwar?

"What about we ourselves? By right, we should stop discussing the question of fighting battles for a short period while we ponder about Anwar's sufferings! It is because of Anwar that there has been the fervour to fight and rouse the people against the despotism, oppression and injustice that have been going on in this nation for so long.

"Save Anwar Ibrahim! Arise all Malaysians, warriors for Islam and warriors for justice together, to save Anwar. Do not just allow Anwar to depart from us without a fight in his defence! A fight is a fight! Continue with the battle!"

The chorus of calls for this battle is not different from that of those who took part in the reformasi battles. If something unfortunate (such as paralysis) happens to Anwar, it cannot be denied that new waves of reformasi, akin to those which took place after Anwar was stripped of his post of deputy prime minister, may occur.

Now everyone's attention is on Abdullah, to see if he will let this golden opportunity to start his era with a mark of humanity slip though his hands. In other words, will he let Anwar become paralysed?

Thousands of Anwar's supporters are praying that the hearts of those who have the power will be softened, and Anwar will be allowed to undergo his operation inGermany, and that he will also be freed.