Maybe he was backed into a corner. We don't know that.
Maybe his comments were taken out of context (always a popular excuse). We don't know that either.
Maybe it was a complete fabrication and the statement was never even made (stranger things have happened). I guess we don't know that as well.
But what I do know is this. A leader who makes a statement endorsing discrimination is no leader at all.
While the issue of gay rights have been a political hot potato in Malaysia for awhile now - no thanks to a government that knows not the difference between a democracy and a theocracy - never before has an entire segment of citizenry been so hung out to dry.
Some time ago , Utusan Malaysia had previously quoted Anwar as saying in an interview that laws on gay rights in Malaysia were considered "archaic" and "not relevant" when asked whether he was prepared to push for the idea of anti-discrimination as far as gay rights were concerned.
Today, Anwar Ibrahim agreed at a High Court hearing that homosexuals should be discriminated against to protect the sanctity of marriage.
Do mine eyes deceive me?
Mr Anwar. A proponent for change. A champion for hope. A promise of a better tomorrow for Malaysians, colour and creed be damned. And then now this?
I make no apologies for saying this. In gunning for the top position, a leader must be a beacon of unity.
No one person should be made to feel less worthy or deserving than the next; not by virtue of his or her ethnicity or gender or faith or socio-economic background or political leanings.
Discrimination is not okay and must never be condoned or God forbid, promoted.
You, sir, who have built your cause around speaking for the downtrodden, the sidelined, the disadvantaged. Is that not a fight against discrimination?
You, sir, who have stood against the so-called biased storytelling by the mainstream media. Is that not a fight against discrimination?
You, sir, who have rallied against the principle of a populace blindly privileged simply by virtue of their ethnic heritage. Is that not a fight against discrimination?
You, sir, who has championed the wonderful promise of a Malaysia for Malaysians; where everyone is equal, where opportunities are shared. Is that not a fight against discrimination?
You, sir, who has decried the alleged lies and attacks on your person as a malicious act of willful discrimination? Were you not a victim of discrimination?
You, sir, are a liar.
You, sir, are a disappointment.
You, sir, are no different than those you vilify in your own defence.
We have been lied to.
