Political activists conceded that efforts must be made to re-evaluate the strategies of the ailing reformasi movement if it is to bring about the cherished goal of reforming the country.

PRM Youth deputy chief Latheefa Koya said that the time has come for the movement to re-focus its struggles o­n current issues and problems affecting the country.

The movement, she said, must not merely be a vehicle to seek victory in the coming general election, which is scheduled for 2004 or earlier.

New strategies needed

"It should not have o­nly short-term goals like winning in the next election," she told malaysiakini .

"Reformasi here started as a reaction to jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's fiasco but sustaining the movement would be difficult if o­ne forget the ultimate goal - which is truth, justice and freedom," she added.

Latheefa was responding to comments by Keadilan vice-president Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who said reformist must go back to the drawing board and plan new strategies.

Saifuddin said the movement has to seriously "crack their heads" as its plans have become too predictable for the government.

The movement, which had been initiated by Anwar after his sacking from the government in 1998, has been criticised lately for its lack of visibility and momentum.

Much criticisms have been levelled at the movement for focusing too much o­n Anwar's plight and neglecting the core issues of reformasi, which is 'corruption, collusion and nepotism' by the ruling elite.

Meanwhile, Keadilan infomation chief Khalid Jaafar suggested that the involvement of political leaders in the movement was necessary to give it a sense of "respectability".

Latheefa, however, disagreed. She said it was the politicians who needed to gain "credibility and respectability" instead.

"Politicians must stop rhetorical speeches and get down to real work," she said.

"A reform-minded politician would not bank o­n the sentiments of the people but rather work o­n raising their political awareness at the grassroots, meeting them and organising programmes, which is seriously lacking today," she added.

Key leaders arrested

The movement was also said to have suffered after several reformasi leaders redirected their priorities when offered positions in political parties such as Keadilan.

Engrossed with party politics, they subsequently lacked the time and energy to lead and organise the grassroots.

In addition, the arrest of key reformasi leaders under the Internal Security Act and the blanket ban of political rallies have seriously hobbled the movement.

Keadilan Youth executive committee member Badrul Hisham Shaharin said the recent Court of Appeal decision to uphold Anwar's sodomy conviction and send him to nine years' imprisonment had also act as a dampener for the movement.

However, Badrul Hisham is confident that the movement would prevail despite the setback and continues its struggle to fight for justice and freedom.

"Even after Anwar is released, we will continue to struggle for reformasi," he said.

"Reformasi is not o­nly about street demonstrations. There are other ways which we can express ourselves, given that street demonstrations have been restricted by the government," he added.