Beware of Greeks bearing gifts

The proverb is not intended to offend Greeks in general but refers to the celebrated and infamous cunningness and trickery in the guise of a Trojan Horse. In mythology, a Trojan Horse was left by the departing Greek army who failed in their siege of Troy. Unknown to Troy, inside the giant statue were hidden well armed Greek warriors. This statue was pulled into the centre of the walled fortress city by the victors. These warriors then came out late at night to kill all of the soldiers of Troy who were fast asleep after a night of celebrations. Trojan horses like computer viruses are meant to sabotage and implode the system or the political party from the inside.

Like the legendary Troy, Parti KeAdilan Rakyat is such a formidable political foe that from its beginning it has had its fair share of spies, moles, plants, infiltrators, agen provocateurs, pretenders, opportunists and trojans. The ever welcoming and charming Anwar Ibrahim seems to invite and trusts everyone into the party even into making up the upper echelons of leadership. However there are some in kind who do betray their trust. Latecomers and self promoted liberals like Zaid is the latest in the line of those upon disenchantment with the party who gnaws it with sharpened gnashing teeth and stabs it with steely knives. Others fall out gracefully and keep their honour and respect. There are others who upon leaving lose their sense of sanity to keep on cursing and swearing to the point of being maniacal in an unusual outpouring of hate for the party , their ex-colleagues and estranged comrades.

Then there are also outsiders, one in the form of an ex mufti and self promoted progressive alim who ought to know better. His offering of advice which was apparently seen to be orchestrated from high above was for the de facto leader of PKR to step down. This is politically not plausible but he does not care. He quickly backtracked when faced with severe criticism and the threat of losing his reputation.The ex mufti said the same of Pak Lah when the latter was on his way down. This person has never been consistent but he has a place for ranting pieces in Utusan of all places.

One anecdote has it that when rumours abound of a mass exodus of ulama opting to join UMNO, our youngest son asked his eldest sister about it and its effect. His sister asked if Ustaz Nik Aziz of PAS was one of them. Her brother said no but so and so was mentioned. Her terse reply came, "if he's the one who says this and that is religious innovation then its OK, UMNO can have him!"

Like they say, beware of Greeks bearing gifts.