The Malaysian Insider
April 04, 2011
APRIL 4 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) is apparently seeking to file a parliamentary motion seeking a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to investigate a sex video clip allegedly featuring Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a sexual tryst with a prostitute.
Perhaps because he is a lawmaker and also the parliamentary opposition leader. Then again, he is already facing his second sodomy charge in 12 years. So why not another trial.
However, if the ruling coalition is keen on holding RCIs to investigate a tape of a man having sex, perhaps it should consider setting up royal panels for the following issues:
1. Corruption involving ministers, senior government officials and other decision-makers
2. Leakage and other distortions in Malaysian policies and initiatives, including the New Economic Policy (NEP)
3. Racial polarisation and discrimination in Malaysia
4. Religious freedom and the rights of minorities to practise their religion
5. Petronas and an in-depth look at how money from the national oil company has been used through the decades
6. Decaying and hollowing out of institutions such as the police, judiciary and immigration
7. Illegal immigrants
8. Use and alleged abuse of the Internal Security Act (ISA) over the decades. It is also a good way to find out more about Operasi Lalang
9. Deaths in police custody
10. Political patronage and the loss of billions of ringgit to taxpayers
Then again, what use are the RCIs if the recommendations are not acted upon. Examples include the RCI on the Lingam video clip and the one on police management.
If anything, BN has been on a good wicket working on reforms and policies to transform the country’s economy. So why waste time investigating a sex tape of unknown origins brought to light by a trio with questionable motives.
The RCI on a sex tape is nothing but a distraction and a red herring to push the opposition into a corner ahead of possible snap polls this year.
Perhaps then, it is the right RCI to pursue. The 10 listed here would not be beneficial to the ruling coalition, would they?