Rabu lalu, saya diundang dalam satu pertemuan dengan bekas Perdana Menteri Norway, Kjell Magne Bondevik yang berkhidmat antara 1997-2000 dan 2001-2005. Sepanjang kariernya, beliau juga pernah menjawat jawatan Menteri Pehubungan Luar dan Menteri Hal Ehwal Agama dan Pendidikan.

Kami bicara sekitar isu pembangunan terkini Malaysia juga peri pentingnya impak pilihanraya 8 Mac dalam melandaskan Malaysia ke arah agenda pemerkasaan demokrasi. Turut saya tekankan ialah penerusan prestasi cemerlang kerajaan negeri di bawah Pakatan Rakyat dan agenda meningkatkan daya saing Malaysia dalam kancah ekonomi global.

Saudara Bondevik merupakan pengasas OSLO Center, organisasi bebas yang ditubuh untuk mempromosikan nilai keamanan dan hak asasi manusia serta toleransi antara agama di serata dunia. Saya turut diundang untuk ikut serta dalam Forum OSLO 2008 bersama-sama dengan bekas Presiden Iran, Mohammad Khatami. Saya menyatakan sokongan penuh terhadap usaha mereka dalam mempromosikan dialog dan nilai persefahaman meski pun tidak dapat ikut serta dalam forum tersebut.

ANWAR IBRAHIM

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On Wednesday I had the pleasure of meeting with Kjell Magne Bondevik, the former Prime Minister of Norway who served from 2001-2005 and a longtime member of Parliament. In his career he also served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister Religion and Education.

We discussed the latest developments in Malaysia and the importance of the March 8th elections in putting Malaysia on course for democratic reform. I also assured him of the recent and ongoing success of the Pakatan Rakyat governments and our agenda for improving Malaysia’s competitiveness in the global economy.

Mr. Bondevik founded the OSLO Center, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion of Peace and Human Rights and interreligious tolerance around the world. I was in fact invited to participate in their 2008 OSLO Forum, along with former President Khatemi of Iran. Although I cannot attend the event I support the work they are doing to promote dialogue and undestanding around the world.

ANWAR IBRAHIM