Anwar...start with the things that matters to us! Teoh Beng Hock, Pastor Raymond Koh, Altantuya....

4.58 am. Wednesday 21st December

Selamat Pagi Malaysia.

In the stillness of dawn, when silence is overpowering, I can literally hear a pin drop. Clarity of thoughts prevails. Coffee, at this time of the morning, makes me grateful for life, for good health, and for the ability to put my thoughts into words, so that I can share those thoughts with those of you who read what I write. And to those who read what I write...thank you.

My first thought this morning is of Anwar.

I watched him, as prime minister, delivered his maiden speech in the Dewan Rakyat. I saw a man heavy with the responsibilities of government. This was not the Anwar I saw during the weeks of campaigning who was able, through his charm, wit, and masterful oratory, moved his audience into rapture and riotous support for Pakatan Harapan....for Anwar Ibrahim.

One minute he is leading the crowd with a "Hoi Hoi ya hoi". Then he begins his charm offensive with a tale or two about himself before he mesmerizes the crowd with his tales of the politics he promises the crowd he and Pakatan Harapan will bring when elected to government.

On any electioneering day, Anwar has no equal. Anwar is in his element up there on stage, the crowd in the palm of his hands, lapping up every word he says and always reminding the crowd that kali ini, it is PH's time to govern. Now it is PH's time to make good all that is wrong with our Malaysia, now is the time for him to lead....so he tells us.

That Anwar was missing in parliament. Instead, and rightly so, a sober and serious Anwar told us what his government intends to do in the coming days as he begins work after getting a vote of confidence for his government from the MPs gathered in the Dewan Rakyat. Now the real work starts.

I do not envy Anwar for the task he has ahead. I wish him well, and may he have the fortitude and moral courage to do what is right for our nation and our people. Moral courage is uncommon in politics, and yet moral courage is most needed if Malaysians are to start believing in their leaders again.

We do not ask for much. We want a leader, who, when it matters most, speaks the truth. In these times when much is asked of our people, more sacrifices, more understanding of the dangers that race and religion can bring into our lives, and more trust, and support for PH that tells that they are doing the best that they can for all Malaysians...all we can say is simply this.. If you want our support, we want a leadership that we can trust....and surely, moral courage is needed of any leader that wants to lead Malaysia out of the decades of politics where race and religion dominate.

Yes, getting the economy of our nation going and thriving again, is no easy task, but more important than getting the economy of our country going again, more important than trying to do away with the politics of race and religion, more important than all that, is getting the rakyat to trust their leaders again.

You can use politics to bring about the nation's economic recovery. You can use politics to bring investors back to put their money in Malaysia. You can even use politics to ensure that the basic principles of democracy - one man one vote - will become a reality by the next election by undoing the harm that Gerry meandering has wrecked upon our electioneering process.....but more critical than anything else...Anwar, you must begin the task of making our people trust in their leaders again.

Start with the things that have been on our minds for many years. What happened to Teoh Beng Hock? Where is Pastor Raymond Koh? What is the truth behind the murder of Altantuya? Will our children get a decent education - from primary school to University? Are our civil liberties and personal freedom, as enshrined in the constitution, a given? What do you really intend to do with Sosma. Will the Media be free? Are bloggers to be prosecuted and prevented from writing what is right and true? Will Jakim still be used as a political tool for the benefit of the government? Can we trust and depend on PDRM and MACC? Are the Ciurts independent? These are fundamental issues that have troubled the raykay for far too long. Deal with them asap.

Anwar, we know the task at hand is overwhelming, but you must not forget that even as you begin the work of government, the rakyat wants to see that you are doing the right thing by them. With their support, you are now in government. Without their support, you will be out of government - sooner, if not later. ....and that sooner may start at any by-elections that will soon come our way dalam masa terdekat.

Enough said.