Every 10 years or so, we see Umno and the ruling coalition go through some sort of political upheaval which inevitably changes the landscape of Malaysian politics.

In 1988, Umno Baru was formed when Dr Mahathir Mohamad was challenged by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah for the party presidency. This event also sparked off a constitutional crisis when the executive began to flex its muscles and the Lord President of the Supreme Court as well as two Supreme Court judges were sacked.

Then, in 1998, Mahathir sacked his charismatic deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, which sparked off the Reformasi movement. Anwar was dragged through a dubious trial and his close friends persecuted and interrogated by the Special Branch. He was thrown in prison for six years.

Then in 2008, after much pressure from Mahathir and his anointed successor, Najib Abdul Razak, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced his resignation as Malaysia’s fifth prime minister.

Today Umno is beleaguered caused by infighting, plagued by money politics and weakened through patronage and entitlements. Many have stepped out to speak against its leader who is embroiled in many alleged scandals.

Two weeks ago, prominent figures in Umno gave a press conference against the Najib administration. They are now part of the ‘Umno Seven’ list of members to be disciplined. Yet even these seven have not found the courage to count the cost, even imprisonment to save Malaysia from these dark days.

There is only one man who has consistently stood up to Umno and their excesses. This man is so feared by Umno that they have sought to put him away twice. Once by Mahathir in 1998 and now by Najib in 2015.

Anwar Ibrahim who became the opposition leader in Parliament in 2008 is Umno’s nightmare. If he was truly guilty of the crime they laid on him, then why pay such special attention to destroy him politically then in 1998 and now physically in 2015 by denying him the surgery he so badly needs.

As we look at the men who stood up to Najib of late - MuyhiddinYassin, Shafie Apdal, Tengku Razaleigh, Gani Patail - none possess the fortitude and courage to fight decisively and wholeheartedly as Anwar Ibrahim did since 1998. They are too afraid of what they could lose - power, position and even their freedom.

Anwar Ibrahim however lost his freedom, health and time with his family as Umno sought to destroy his reputation and political career. Let’s face it, if he had stood down and become like the rest of the Umno leaders, he would not need to be in jail then and now. He could play safe like Muyhiddin and hope to come back another day or like Gani Patail keeping mum when the nation is in need of honest and brave men.

Instead he fights and fights and has become Umno’s most feared politician that they have to put him away again.

As William Faulkner said, “You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” We are in desperate need of men and women who are willing to lose sight of the shore to lead the nation to new horizons. Anwar Ibrahim has proven he has the courage; let him go and let him lead Malaysia to new horizons.