It was a great relief to see the coalition that keeps harping Tun M’s Melayu Malaysia or Mahiaddin’s Haram PH narratives lose in both the Pulai and Simpang Jeram seats.

However, we miss one particular party leader’s enemies of Islam stories. Maybe he was ‘sick’.

It seems that the PN’s ‘black magic’ does not work with those who feel that Johor is home to all and not just one race and faith.

I am sure if the voter turnout were higher, the majority would have still been more impressive against the PN.

There are a few things that I need to get off my chest running up to this particular by-election.

The first is, of course, Tun M’s insistence that the Malays reject the Unity Government because, as he sees it, I think, Malaysia is Melayu first, second and last.

For a two-time former prime minister whose speeches are recorded saying vastly different things than that in earlier times is a sad affair indeed.

As a citizen and a former supporter of Tun M, now I truly feel that the man has left no legacy except the legacy of destroying the very foundation of Malaysia: the respect for multiculturalism and multi-faith society.

It seems that Tunku Abdul Rahman was right to sack this man as time has proven Tunku true, that Tun M does not deserve to carry even a simple Datuk-ship, much less a Tun-ship or even an Umno-ship.

He should be stripped of all the titles and I sincerely hope that he sits next to Najib when the charge of sedition goes through.

Before this, I would have disagreed that the man be charged as he is the most prominent statesman and politician that has the most contribution to Malaysia.

Unfortunately, his venom against Anwar, against the non-Malays and against all upstanding Malaysians, deserves a recommendation that he should no longer carry any title and that he should spend the rest of his life in a room next to Najib.

There is no more ‘maaf’ in me for such a man who stood with his own biggest enemy of religious extremism and plotted to overthrow not just Anwar but our own liberties and freedom.

Such is this man who is worse than an extremist like Hadi, or a usurper of freedom like Mahiaddin.

Secondly, I wish to take to task the prominent civil society personalities who accused Anwar of interfering with the Zahid court case when the latter was granted a DNAA by the court.

When the DNAA was granted, I had two simple thoughts: firstly, Zahid is still not off the hook so why the fuss; and secondly, as far as I understand it, if the lawyers are crafty enough to put up some kind of representation and then the AG will need to act on it, why should Anwar be implicated?

If the civil society personalities suspect something rotten, firstly, where is the proof that Anwar interfered and secondly, are they preview to the full information and consideration of the AG as well as the judge’s decision?

I am most sad when I see the same personalities who fought on the streets and in the media to uphold a Malaysia for all, their hearts seem to have no place for Anwar who went to prison twice while the same personalities sat comfortably in their homes passing judgement on others.

I feel that these personalities owe Anwar Ibrahim an apology. Why do I say so?

Firstly, these people have no shred of evidence to justify their accusations. Their argument centers directly on the court’s procedures and the process of the prosecution.

I do not want to comment as I am not a law student but I am satisfied with the explanation of the AG’s Chambers and also of the new AG Ahmad Terrirudin, who said this issue of granting DNAA is a normal affair as long as judgement has not been passed.

I cannot say that the two AGs are wrong or right, but they said it so take it up with them-lah! Why drag Anwar and the Unity Government into this?

This country is filled with good-intentioned citizenry but cares not about solid proof before lambasting a leader who for all we know would be the only one who can take us out of this mess that BN had created and PN had made worse.

Democracy does not mean that you can tick off the leader and then say, “Well… it’s freedom of speech-lah!”

Well, you may be free to talk or say anything but there are many who may judge your tone, your adab, and your  motives.

Just because you brave the sun and water cannon does not give you carte blanche at hurling accusations in a manner befitting a pasar malam food crier.

For me, you can criticize and be concerned about anything, that is your right, but take into consideration all the facts and context, and most importantly have some respect for the one you criticize.

Democracy does not know adab, does not have our faith or culture and does not know our Rukun Negara of Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan. But we all know good manners, have values from our faith or culture, and we all study the Rukun Negara.

So, no excuse! The question I have is, are these personalities fighting for their own selfish self or the ‘self’ of this nation?

(Prof Dr. Mohd Tajuddin Mohd Rasdi is Professor of Architecture at a local university and his writing reflects his own personal opinion entirely.)