opinion

As I prepare myself to go to Kemaman, Terengganu, for an exciting and challenging weekend for the significant Keadilan's annual general meeting, I recall the roots of the party's struggle in the reformasi movement. A movement that was born when Anwar Ibrahim, then deputy prime minister who was sacked, abused, tortured and now incarcerated for 'crimes' that he was not part of.

Anwar's only crime was to crack up on dictatorship, corruption, cronyism and nepotism with a growing control of all mechanisms for transparency and accountability so that the people's money will be saved, rights protected and democracy practised at all levels with justice. The struggle was continued and strengthened with the birth of Keadilan two and half years ago.

Mahathir and his cronies used all forms of aggression and violence which have been well documented by Suhakam. One success indicator is that five of our strong leaders are now prisoners of conscience under the draconian ISA while the sixth person, a very dynamic theologian is out of detention camp but under 'house arrest' with severe restrictions.

The repression has been well structured, strategised, legalised. All efforts have been made especially through a toothless media to propagate fear and blind loyalty with patronage politics. And more recently, the ugly head of communalism has emerged, attempting to divide our people over and over again.

But in spite of it all, Keadilan, only two and half years old, will meet in Kemaman where over 2,000 delegates will deliberate its mission and direction for the coming years. But the challenging part of the meeting will be in the elections of the party's national leadership for the next three years. This is the crucial part.

All party posts are being contested. There is so much of interest, concern and anxiety. There is hectic campaigning, good and bad. Keadilan is very alive... in spite of it all.

Personalised attacks

Mahathir and the Barisan National leaders are scrutinising, monitoring closely and definitely not from a distance. The media, even the mainstream guys are getting interested. Keadilan is getting publicity. This is unusual. And there is so much of gossip, of unkind language, of unnecessary personalised attacks, of divide and gain for self. And I ask myself, why?

Keadilan is new and is special. It is a party that wants to bring political change through a new form of politics. It is multi-racial and gender-sensitive, and where various communities will be integrated based on the belief of justice, truth, equality and fundamental rights. It is moving and struggling to realise and live democracy through an independent judiciary, independent media, and where political participation is strengthened at all levels, from local councils to Parliament.

This is the core of the struggle... much more challenged with the events arising from the Sept 11 attacks. The struggle becomes clearer as globalisation and its accompanying strategies brings about backlashes on our people and our economy; on our cultures and our social integrated communities.

We know that there is a large silent majority out there who are looking forward to the change; who want to remain invisible because of fear of repression but who will rise to the occasion. And it is all for these reasons that there are various forces both outside and within who want to create setbacks for the party.

Thirst for justice

There are racist and oppressive forces who know that if Keadilan thrives and breaks up communalism and chauvinism, cronyism will die and dictatorship will crumple. All these forces have faces too! So, the fear is that if a strong, determined leadership emerges, the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition is at risk. Keadilan now faces this challenge at the coming AGM.

And as I pack my files and notes to go, I will be challenged. I have accepted the nominations for deputy head for the women's wing and member of the supreme council. How will I be evaluated? As a woman? As an Indian? As an activist? As a person who has brought forward the struggle? Can I be one of the determined strong leaders needed for the party? And this is for the delegates to decide.

Delegates will be challenged too. Each delegate will be challenged by the various forces existing within the party and outside of it. Media messages will flow. And all depends how each delegate filters the messages, how he values Keadilan, and how he sees members and leaders forging the struggle forward for reformasi.

No matter what happens, elected or not, I am sure that the thirst for justice will be quenched. The fire rekindled for reformasi will turn to flames to burn oppression, corruption and repression. The scroll of truth will be unfolded for people's freedom and liberation. I will be part of it.

IRENE FERNANDEZ is Keadilan's incumbent Wanita deputy chief and supreme council member. She is also director of Tenaganita, a women's NGO.