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.

Counsels of former mentor and tormentor

Indeed the opposition is now reduced to submitting to the counsels of one who was once its fiercest enemy, Anwar’s former mentor and tormentor, ex-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He is perhaps the only other strong personality that can hold a candle to what Anwar can do. Which speaks poorly for the present leadership of the opposition parties.

But in the final analysis, I guess my problem with letting PKR call itself Keadilan pales in comparison to what the trial and incarceration of Anwar for Sodomy II signifies.

While the wheels of justice in Malaysia turn slowly, many think that unless it relates to politics, it still turns and ends rightly.

It is only when politics comes into play that there seem to be some disconnect between the system that is supposed to dispense justice, and justice as it should be. As many think is what took place in the Anwar case.

And thus it symbolises abuse of authority by a sitting administration to curtail dissent and keep itself in power, by the use of fingers that it keeps embedded in many pies.

Something that is self-evident nowadays when we open our eyes, mind and ears to the many arrests, charging and conviction of individuals who dare to raise their voices against the powers-that-be.

Something that is clear if we but take notice at the shackles being placed on the media and the laws muzzling the rakyat’s freedom of expression and even thoughts.

And for that I guess we should all take notice and be prepared to fight, in whatever ways we can, with our voice, with our pens and keyboard, and with our ballots.

Not only for Anwar, not only for Keadilan for the rakyat, but for the very fate of our nation itself.

I guess I’d stomach it if some want to sound “reformasi” as their rallying cry and for Anwar to be the fight’s poster child.

But no, I still would not refer to PKR as Keadilan. Come what may. You have to give me that at least.

HAZLAN ZAKARIA is a member of the Malaysiakini team.