LETTER | Rafizi Ramli has announced his political comeback and I think PKR president Anwar Ibrahim should embrace and welcome him.

I think no one has done and sacrificed more than Rafizi, not just for PKR but also for other opposition parties. He had created much awareness and provided much impetus to the cause of opposition in the country.

In fact, his contributions have benefited many who later betrayed PKR and Pakatan Harapan. Today, they are still enjoying the gravy train laboured by people like Rafizi.

I have no problem accepting that Anwar and Harapan were sabotaged and betrayed by Dr Mahathir Mohamad and their own coalition partner, Bersatu. We can’t really blame the present imbroglio in Harapan purely on Anwar and other leaders in DAP and Amanah.

Having said this, I think it is also time for PKR and Harapan to rethink and restrategise.  After the big loss in the Johor state election, I consider all the statements and explanations made by Harapan leaders (and even from some analysts) as spontaneous and poorly thought out.

If they know so clearly the reasons that caused their defeat, I am sure they could also have done something to avoid or lessen the defeat.

Frankly, I am fed up with the “big tent” strategy. I am also fed up with Harapan trying to solicit some unscrupulous MPs to form the government. Have we not learned of the mafia principle? If someone could betray your enemy, he could have no qualms betraying you someday.

Just like there is no cure for stupidity, there is no therapy for treachery. Treachery is innate, so Harapan should stop waiting time with treacherous people.

I know there is no guarantee that new people and young blood will not betray. But I believe that we should only be cheated once, not twice.

Personally, I would prefer Rafizi goes for the president post rather than the deputy president.  Anwar should embrace change and accept the fact that his time has passed. So should many other older leaders in Harapan. They should accept change and play advisory roles. Nothing is permanent, the country must move on.

If we are talking about moderate progressive forces, I believe Rafizi and other younger leaders in PKR, DAP, Amanah and Muda can provide the impetus to move this nation forward. Don’t ever work with reactionary forces, conservative bigots or treacherous people ever again, no matter how convenient, tempting or expedient they may be. I always believe there are no right men in the wrong party.

Malaysians irrespective of race and religion who are moderate, modern and progressive ought to know which political parties are treacherous, racist, reactionary, and bigoted.

Hopefully, this time we will not be sabotaged or betrayed again.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.