Can’t we put our own house in order?

So a petition was raised on the US White House website calling for President Barack Obama's attention to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's rejected appeal on his sodomy conviction and his five-year jail sentence.

Then there was another petition raised on the same website calling for the US government to respect the sovereignty of Malaysia and its people and not interfere in internal affairs.

And as expected, there are supporters of both petitions. As for me, I think I'm a little torn between the two because both petitions have their merits or justifications.

If a gross injustice happens, calling for international attention and condemnation is one way to pressure those in charge to actually do something to address it.

That is the reason the international press wields so much influence. They highlight issues of concern so that people will pay attention and take appropriate action.

But I also believe that what has happened in our country is something that needs to be addressed by our own people without the interference of others. We can keep our own house in order.

So it is funny to see how the US government has been trying to handle the situation with our little country Malaysia as delicately as they can.

In a recent commentary in the Washington Post, staff columnist Al Kamen awarded US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki with the “on-the-one-hand, on-the-other-hand” award.

After Anwar was sentenced to five years in prison, she said that Washington was disappointed with the ruling and concerned about Malaysia's judicial system and democracy.

But on the other hand, she also said that Malaysia was a close ally of the US and that they are currently working together to defeat a common enemy, the Islamic State.

This reminds me of when Obama paid an official visit to Malaysia in April last year and was asked whether he was concerned at all about the sodomy charge against Anwar.

It was during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and Obama had been talking about what good friends and partners the US and Malaysia were.

The questioned was asked by a US journalist during the question and answer session after both leaders had given their statements. Everyone waited for the president's answer.

He said that just because he did not mention or meet with Anwar didn't mean that he wasn't concerned about the case. Then he proceeded to again stress the two countries' friendship.

Obama did exactly what Psaki did. He did a “on-the-one-hand, on-the-other-hand” and many people, myself included, just laughed at what had happened.

So now back to the two petitions raised on the White House's website regarding Anwar and the right not to have other parties interfering in our country's affairs.

Looks like I might also be a potential recipient of the “on-the-one-hand, on-the-other-hand” award since I think I am torn between the two.

Although I feel international pressure might be needed to be put on the authorities, I’m also conflicted by the fact that we should put our own house in order instead of relying on others.

But I think I would rather put faith in our own people. Slowly but surely, we will get there and all that is happening now will be seen as the stepping stones to our achievements. – February 13, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.