I refer to the Malaysakini report Anwar slammed over 'back door' bid for Putrajaya.

Malaysia’s renowned political thinker Dr Chandra Muzaffar has criticised Anwar Ibrahim for initiating cross-over bids from members of parliament from Barisan Nasional to Pakatan Rakyat, which could derail the present government under Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and replace it with a government under Anwar Ibrahim after his expected historic victory in Permatang Pauh on Aug 26.

All of us know very well that democracy is a value. A value that is accepted by a group or by a community is destined to make that value ethical. Of course, in Chandra Muzaffar’s view, a government can only be formed by an elected majority in parliament.

Quite very recently, there was a vote of no-confidence brought against the government of Dr Manmohan Singh of India. The motion failed, if it had succeeded there will be in India today a new government headed by Mrs Mayawati.

I think in this case, the norms of cherishing the value of democracy was not emancipated by the Communist Party of India that brought about the motion to stop Dr Manmohan Singh from going ahead with the signing of a nuclear deal with the US.

The value of democracy was very well-enhanced by those who brought the motion of no-confidence. And at the same time, the value of democracy was very well defended by those in government. Undoubtedly there were many in the opposition who supported the Manmohan Singh government. Was that unethical?

Datuk Abdullah Badawi has failed as a prime minister. He has not brought about any kind of enthusiasm and motivation to the people to seek a vision and a mission and to work hard for the nation.

He is hardly in control of the state governments of the richest states such as Penang, Selangor, Perak and even Kedah and Kelantan. He has not shown any kind of leadership prowess to his own members in parliament and also to the people of this country.

He does not seem to address issues that are important for the business group or the workers group. He shows a kind of free-rein leadership allowing the horse to wander wherever it prefers to go.

We have never had a prime minister who has behaved so very incapably. He has not been able to explain to the ordinary people as to why the prices of basic commodities have to go up. He has not been able to control the erratic pricing of all goods and services which are at the whims and fancies of the producers and the traders.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Sharir Samad had initially said that price controls were a joke but what has he done in checking the soaring prices of basic necessities in the supermarkets? People are becoming poorer.

Abdullah has failed in providing a good quality of life to the people of this country and hence it is unethical for him to lead the nation as prime minister. It is best he should resign as government and that would be ethical.

I would have expected Dr Chandra Muzaffar to raise these issues and then discuss the political forays of Anwar Ibrahim. It is very much expected that Anwar Ibrahim need not go around calling the members of parliament from BN to join the Pakatan Rakyat.

Many of the BN members on their own will decide to crossover to Pakatan Rakyat after the expected election victory at Permatang Pauh. Well, if there is a majority for Pakatan Rakyat to form the next government they should do it. There is nothing unethical about it.

It is a fact that the BN has been at the government for the last 50 years. It is also a fact that the people are looking for a change of government and also a dynamic prime minister like Anwar Ibrahim. If that is what they want, they should have it.

Abdullah must review his last five years as prime minister and must also seriously review if the present government can bring about social and economic betterment for the people. There is a kind of cloud of negativity surrounding the BN. It is best that he should seek retreat and rethink the way forward rather than linger and prod on with a weak government.

Dr Chandra Muzaffar has failed to look at these issues. Anwar Ibrahim is steering the course of democracy today and let us allow him to bring about some participatory values for all people who feel they would like to be part of this machinery.

We cannot and must not target Anwar Ibrahim as an individual. We must bravely and with valour target the political decadence of the nation and support anyone who can bring about enthusiasm and motivation to build this nation for the better and for the future. And if it is Anwar Ibrahim let us all support him.