UMNO(MAL)'s FARM

The recent on-goings in the Malaysian political scene brings back fond memories of my school days. Particularly, it reminds me of literature class. How so? You may wonder. Well, apart from Shakespeare, there was this other book that we had to digest, Orwell’s “Animal Farm”.

Late last month, his one time aide accused Anwar Ibrahim of sodomy, an accusation he vehemently denies. After the usual police reports and medical examinations, and the sub-plots laced in between, Anwar was charged in court yesterday.

He was charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code which reads: ”377B. Whoever voluntarily commits carnal intercourse against the order of nature shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to twenty years, and shall also be liable to whipping.”

From what we read and the way it was presented in the local press, and also statements by the powers that be, one would have expected Anwar to be charged under Section 377C of the Penal Code which reads: “377C. Whoever voluntarily commits carnal intercourse against the order of nature on another person without the consent, or against the will, of the other person, or by putting the other person in fear of death or hurt to the person or any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than five years and not more than twenty years, and shall also be liable to whipping.”

Anwar has rightly questioned why his accuser was not charged similarly. The charge is on consensual sodomy as opposed to a charge under Section 377C which interprets as sodomy rape! So, will they charge the accuser, Saiful?

“No” says the Home Minister, Syed Hamid. Though Saiful apparently participated in this consensual sodomy, he is a witness, and therefore, will be protected????? That immediately reminded me of Napoleon in Orwell’s famous satire. While I liken Syed Hamid to Napoleon in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”, I cannot help thinking that there are quite a few more parallels in character in UMNO (MAL)’s FARM.

As an illustration, I see lame duck Prime Minister Badawi as Napoleon’s chief rival, “Snowball”, SIL/Kali as “Squealer” responsible for the propaganda machinery.

Though Marxism has no place for religion, Syed Hamid, as with most UMNO leaders, has, especially in their speech, exhibited an uncanny resemblance to the Bolsheviks. “ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL…… BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS!"