While waiting for Ijok results, take a few minutes to watch Anwar Ibrahim’s recent interview on SBS Dateline with George Negus. Click here for video.
TRANSCRIPT
Remember Anwar Ibrahim? Well a few years back, he was regarded as the next big thing in Asian politics. Indeed, he was tipped to become the prime minister of Malaysia. Well, after six years in jail for corruption – he was acquitted on sodomy charges – he’s mounting a pretty bold comeback. And now, despite still being officially banned from political activity in Malaysia, 60-year-old Anwar has returned to the political fray. In fact, his plan is to lead the oppostion against the ruling UMNO party and Malaysia’s current Prime Minister, Abdullah Badawi, in the next election. George Negus caught up with him recently in Vancouver.
GEORGE NEGUS: Doctor, it’s good to see you. You bob up all over the place these days. Here you are, out of jail after all of those years, but still in political limbo in your own country. What is it that drives you to keep going back into trouble?
ANWAR IBRAHIM, FORMER EX PRISONER OF SUNGAI BULOH: It’s not a question of going into trouble, I mean, I don’t have a choice. I am committed to the reform agenda. I have given this pledge and I must remain consistent.
GEORGE NEGUS: At this stage you are to all intents and purposes banned from speaking in your own country, you can’t actually take part in the politics of your own country, but you have already put up your hand and said yes, you want to run in the next election.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: It is my basic right as a citizen. The previous administration used a corpse to deny me of this right. How do you expect me to submit to a process that is fundamentally flawed, condemned by the international community?
GEORGE NEGUS: Legally, correct me if I’m wrong, you can’t participate in Malaysian politics until April of next year?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: What law are you talking about, George? This is a legal process
GEORGE NEGUS: If you tried to speak, you can’t speak publicly.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: I did, and I continue to do so. There a lot of restrictions – I can’t enter any university in the country, permits had been denied, no report in the mainstream media controlled by the government. Notwithstanding, I’m exercising my rights.
GEORGE NEGUS: They are never going to let you have the freedom.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: Well, there is a slim chance that Prime Minister Abdullah will act according to the principles of justice..
GEORGE NEGUS: He seems to be putting everything he possibly can in your way.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: That’s fine, but I am an optimist, an incorrigible optimist.
GEORGE NEGUS: The next big thing in Malaysian politics, you were once called. The former golden boy of South-East Asian politics. Some people even saw you as a Nelson Mandela of Malaysia. Is it possible that you are more popular and have more credibility and more support outside your country than inside? That maybe Anwar Ibrahim’s time has come and gone? You’ve had your moment?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: That’s what the ruling party would like to believe. If that is so
GEORGE NEGUS: I didn’t talk to them before I said that, by the way.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: Why the courts? Why the restrictions? Why the complete ban in the media? Why use the courts? Why use the police? If Anwar is irrelevant, then you can just ignore him. But I think, to the contrary, I do receive some support. I’m not in a position to gauge the extent of support, because it can only be done through a free, fair election that we don’t have in Malaysia.
GEORGE NEGUS: If you had to compare Mahathir’s Malaysia with Badawi’s Malaysia, how would you describe the difference?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: The policies are quite the same. The system operates under the judiciary under the behest of political leaders, the media is completely under the control of the ruling party, yes, but Mahathir used crude, brutal force. Abdullah certainly has shown a lot of, ah ..
GEORGE NEGUS: Subtlety?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: ..more subtle and slightly at times, even some compassion.
GEORGE NEGUS: Is it a democracy?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: Certainly it is not a democracy. The best way to describe Malaysia under the present regime is soft authoritarianism.
GEORGE NEGUS: Soft authoritarianism. Let’s talk about Dr Mahathir, your old nemesis. You say, I think, that you’ve forgiven him but you’ve not forgotten what happened. So why have you decided to take legal action against him?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: I have said no malice towards him, or anyone.
GEORGE NEGUS: He’s obviously still got malice towards you.
ANWAR IBRAHIM: Yes, and he repeats it. He continues to condemn me and continues to cast malicious, scurrilous attacks against me. And I said, “Please don’t, you are getting to be obsolete and you’re getting very personal.” And after the third time he repeated, then I decided to institute civil proceedings against him. Knowing the limitations of the system and the judiciary, but not withstanding I would exercise my right.
GEROGE NEGUS: Have any members of your family ever said, “Enough is enough. You’re pushing a gigantic rock uphill. You’re not going to make it”?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: They suffered immensely all these years. My wife, my children, and my close associates. And they remain committed.
GEORGE NEGUS: So you’re not going to give up, clearly?
ANWAR IBRAHIM: How do you surrender to the corrupt? How do you submit to your jailers?
Dear Anwar,
It is with deep hope that you will give this nation a new vision for us to follow. I do hope that it is not the same rhetoric you are giving when you were backing Mahathir.
It is time the Malays realize that Mahathir has been jampeeing the Malays until told to step-down by a western power.
22 years is too long a time when slaves of Mahathir get up to express themselves without fear or favour. The cake given to Malays must be fairly distributed to them and not to certain parties only.
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I don’t think so. This is the problem with Politicians in general; they’re smooth. I’ve watched a few interviews of Anwar Ibrahim (basically trying to understand why my wife; and certain PM’s are so against him). I enjoyed about 98% of what I heard. Then the BOMB dropped. World Bank, IMF, and UN. Bro, please. Maybe I didn’t understand what he was saying. However, in todays world any leader which pushes an agenda suggesting membership/planning/consulting with the help of the IMF & World Bank should be quickly run out of the country; permanently. For those whom question how an Amerikkkan could say such things listen to this Amerikkkan:
http://www.counterpunch.org/dossani03092007.html (Noam Chomsky)
Or simply look at South America & Africa (basically). If giving “New Vision” means moving us in league with IMF & World Bank policy then I’ve got simple words for you; “Kick Rocks”, “Beat Feet”, “Get the Hell out of here”. I’d rather continue living under the Internal Security Act then sell out to Imperialistic US (and/or British) agenda’s.
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There is a proverb in Malay, ‘musuh dibawah selimut’ and pagar makan padi. To me it is like a father raping his daughter with sweet words that it is his right.
Many things that has been done by the former PM was in this light. The end justifies the means. And all for what??? For the glorification of his own name. To leave a legacy that he is greater than former PMs.
With sweet words the Malays were made stupid to believe that they have to depend on the government. So much was given..not to all ..cream taken by the cronies and the rest given to say..here is a sarong or a nasi briani for voting for me.
The biggest con game was to convince the Malays that there was no other leader to replace him. Every other Malay if he was smart was not equal to him to run the country(no..no..not even Abdullah his handpicked successor) 22 years and the Malays could not find someone to replace him. That is exactly what his cronies made the common population believe..and all the while they were raping their own people. I rather face a known enemy than an enemy who is living in my house. This type of enemy who manipulates the people, manipulates the country’s resources( our oil money) puts his hand inside the peoples retirement fund, manipulates the judiciary, manipulates the police, balesout businesses that today are questionable, closes one(2) eyes to corruption and covers up wrong doings using the OSA is worst than the Amerikkano and the British SOBs.
I still think the education system not to make English necessary..was a political ploy to keep the Malays from being too intelligent so that they can suck up to him and keep licking his backside for more goodies.
This is the trap we all fell into..unwittingly by giving too much power to one man..How come he and his cronies can speak very good English???
After 22 years just as he stepped down the Chameleon turns around and says..ayo..ayo..ayo..English is important loh!!For a man who envisioned vision 2020..I think this baloney.Where was his vision..when Singapore was next door as a good and practical example???
And the Indians ..they just pick the scraps…the Chinese??? Easy??they keep feeding these types of traitors…
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Datuk Seri,
Saya benar terkilan dengan kekalahan Tan sri Khalid, walaupun bukan penduduk ijok, saya rasa amat geram dengan kaedah yg digunakan BN, rasa macam nak tembak jer tv kat rumah tu, eiii, datuk sri, selagi Spr duduk di bwh telunjuk BN, selagi tulah kita akan di khianat, buatlah sesuatu agar, tan seri rashid tue di penjara dgn kuncu2nya.
salam reformasi
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Dengar bolehlah….everything here is hear and say. No proof at all. Saya tak percaya orang-orang yang educated and matured people boleh terpengaruh dengan these hear and says things. Of course…you all are just bloggers and never wants to hear and say the right things. Am I right??? I think you all really like to answer that through your hear and say attitude.
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