Anwar Ibrahim looked up to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as a substitute father. Now he feels like an abused and confused son.
'I do regard Mahathir certainly as a father figure, though not all fathers treat their children properly,' Mr Anwar said yesterday afternoon as he sat beside his wife in their home, trying to rationalise the events of the past 48 hours.
Considering the fate which could await him - arrest and detention without trial - he was still speaking of Dr Mahathir, 73, with the utmost respect.
'It is unfortunate,' Mr Anwar said. 'He has done great things too. I would like to put on record his services in the past.' Perhaps he is in denial, perhaps he had taken legal advice, but, virtually alone among Malaysians, Mr Anwar would not name Dr Mahathir as being behind what he says was a conspiracy to engineer his downfall.
'I can't establish if the PM is directly involved,' Mr Anwar said. 'But I have pledged my loyalty to him.' Mr Anwar, 51, is clearly stunned, as is the nation.
Thousands of supporters headed to his sprawling official residence on Wednesday night. Hundreds were at his side again yesterday.