Parliament and Oscar Awards

Soon, latest by October, Dewan Rakyat will have a new Member of Parliament. His name is Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who will sit in the front bench from the Opposition side.

Yes, no matter what Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi says, regardless of what Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon claims, and whatever BN and UMNO try to do in Permatang Pauh, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI) will step into Parliament as an elected MP for Permatang Pauh by October at the latest.

No one can deny that Permatang Pauh is a safe seat for Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. From Kuala Kangsar (vs Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz) to Bandar Tun Razak, now he is home in Permatang Pauh. It will be two giants in Penang. It wasn't that "safe" for Datuk Seri Wan Azizah in the previous (not the recent) election. But for DSAI, it will be.

I am sorry to say this, but I don't think Datuk Pirdaus will get to run again as a candidate in Permatang Pauh. No matter what characteristics he has, or whatever background he is from, he will not be able to win against Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Without Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, we already have lots of fun in Parliament. Dr Tan Seng Giaw will always be "entertaining" the MPs with his slow and steady speech. Haha. He is always being reminded by the Speaker and Deputy Speakers about his time allocation and about how he needs to utilise his time better with a "quicker" pronunciation, going right into the point etc.

We also have YB M Kulasegaran around, Datuk Mukhriz, YB Lim Kit Siang vs Khairy, Cabinet Ministers vs Opposition, YB Azmin Ali with his cool and fiery speeches. And we shall not forget the sole Independent MP YB Datuk Ibrahim Ali from Kelantan. He seems impartial so far.

The Speaker had a lot of work to control the MPs, the approval of questions, educating young MPs, disciplining senior MPs and ensure a proper debate session in Parliament all these while.

Believe me, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin. When DSAI steps into Parliament, I believe you will have to scream on top of your lungs and exert every inch of your power written in your portfolio as Speaker of Dewan Rakyat very frequently.

And the current MPs? There will be two effects. The Opposition Leader of course will be DSAI. He will run the show and work behind the scenes also. Some Opposition MPs might see that they will suffer a thing called "lack of attention" be it from the Press or Opposition leaders or party members. Why? Simply because everyone will be looking at what Anwar does only.

He winks, everyone winks. He raises his hands, everyone from the Opposition follows suit. On a lighter note, if he farts, I hope all the other MPs do not follow him to fart ! Because if 80++ Opposition MPs fart along with DSAI, then the Parliament will need to be postponed to a later time. Take it lightly okay? Dont send me any legal letters. Haha.

So, now what about the BN MPs? Yes. I will say what others are saying. They will tremble, they will have fear, and they will be experiencing a form of stage fright. No, not because of the eyes and ears focusing at them. But because they are up against DSAI and he will have his hawk eyes on them. We have to be honest on this. Only Dr Mahathir managed to be superior to DSAI when he was PM. The way Pak Lah's image is these days, and how his image has been portrayed by his advisors (not strong enough), I think it will be hard for anyone including Pak Lah to stand up against DSAI.

All is not lost for UMNO. Pak Lah can still have his team of advisors to change his image into someone superior, worth voting for and is good for Malaysia. Or, UMNO's two leaders in waiting - Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin - might be able to at least reduce DSAI's shining star and popularity.

Hmm. The game is on in Malaysia. As I just told Aimran, a buddy of mine in ANU, Malaysia lately is full of accusations from all parties. And in my words, allow me to say this. "And the Oscar goes to ... Malaysia !"