Former Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said that Turkey’s democratic reforms give the entire Muslim world hope for the future of the Arab Spring.

Ibrahim discussed on Thursday the overlapping roles of Islam and democracy in the reforms sweeping North Africa and the Middle East at this month’s Alliance of Civilizations meeting in ?stanbul. “The Muslim masses want leadership,” Ibrahim said. “The Muslim world needs an effective voice to represent the call for freedom and justice.” Turkey’s role and influence in the Arab Spring is “critical,” Ibrahim stressed, adding that both the Western and Muslim world are looking to Turkey and Indonesia, another flourishing Muslim democracy, at a time of great political change.

The developments in Turkey, Indonesia and in the Arab Spring countries offer the Muslim world a fresh voice, Ibrahim said.

The Malaysian politician described the excitement that bubbled among the masses and the complete silence of the leaders of the repressive regimes of countries that witnessed the Arab Spring uprisings. “This is why I was excited when the prime minister came out and presented the issue of human rights, the issue of freedom for all and the issue of dignity for all men and women as a universal construct, not just a Turkish or Western construct,” he said. “It was timely that the prime minister took a position that no leader can continue without representing the sentiments and aspirations of the people.” “I remain optimistic about the Arab Spring and the future of the Muslim world. We see how Turkey has navigated [successful democratization efforts and reforms],” said Ibrahim of the Muslim world’s generally positive view of Turkey. “Keep up the good work,” he encouraged.

Democracy is often heralded as an ideal that belongs to the West, but Ibrahim disagreed.

“Democracy is not just a Western construct,” Ibrahim said. “Do you realize that Indonesia, the largest Muslim democracy in the world, had free, democratic elections in 1955?”

Ibrahim said he used to joke with former US Vice President Al Gore that Indonesia’s elections in 1955 were far more democratic than Florida’s in 2000. “Why do you think Muslim countries have risen up against exploitation, imperialism and colonization? Because they honor freedom,” he told the crowd gathered at the prime minister’s office in Dolmabahçe Palace.

“The Arab Spring will not be successful if it follows a Western model,” Ibrahim emphasized. And on the question of what sort of government should be established in the place of the toppled regimes, Ibrahim said simply, “Let the Arabs decide.”

But there are universal principles, Ibrahim said, that will not be compromised. “The freedom of expression, the freedom of speech and the battle against corruption and greed … these values we will not compromise,” he said.

Contrasting Turkey, Malaysia’s ‘democracies’

“Turkey is a democracy. Malaysia is not,” Ibrahim said matter-of-factly. Ibrahim argued it is wrong to call Malaysia a democracy. “There is not one free media outlet in Malaysia,” he said.

On Thursday morning, Ibrahim said he read on the front page of a Turkish newspaper a stringent criticism of the prime minister’s most recent comments. “This is what a democracy is all about — the right to disagree,” he said.

“I often joke that in Malaysia we have freedom of speech, but not after speech,” said Ibrahim, who was fired from his position as deputy prime minister and arrested after speaking out against the Malaysian prime minister.

In the last few weeks, I have openly condemned the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency’s (MACC) inaction over the NFC Scandal and the blazen shameless admission of acceptance of gratification by Awang Adek. Since then, Malaysians have witnessed another “rejected” Minister, Azalina Othman Said, making a similar admission.

It seems that instead of being embarrassed, apologetic and standing down from public office, these shameless BN ministers are being emboldened to use the propaganda tools of their party and the mainstream media to make their misconducts look innocent. Like most Malaysians, I am appalled and find this most repulsive.

An echo in the PM’s Department

My call for Shahrizat Jalil and Awang Adek to resign from all posts in the party and the government is exactly to prevent what is happening now. I knew they would use all their resources to spin fabulous stories of how they have been victimized and how the whole fiasco is a misunderstanding.

You can clearly see that happening when Perkasa’s Ibrahim Ali comes to Shahrizat’s defence and tries to make the Auditor-General a political scapegoat. You then see the jantan or macho minister in the PM’s office, Nazri Aziz, explaining why there cannot be a public declaration of assets by those holding high public office.

To make it appear that the Chinese community also share this “aspiration” for secrecy, Nazri’s deputy, VK Liew, echoes his boss’s sentiments by saying that that it is inappropriate for the MACC to keep records of properties of ministers and deputy ministers.

That to me amounts to abusing the 1Malysia concept to cover up for wrong doings by government leaders. That is against the Islamic principles of “Amr Ma’aruf Nahy Mungkar” i.e. encourage righteousness and discourage evil. That it is done by the highest echelons of our government leaders is public display of arrogance of the highest order.

VK Liew, please break wind in your own home!

Let us remind ourselves that Teoh Beng Hock died over allegations of a mere RM 2,400-00. Ahmad Sarbaini died because of similar minor allegations which until today have just gone silent. Yet, when the riches of the powerful are involved, the MACC either drag its feet or behave like eunuchs emasculated of all their powers. I ask the MACC – why the discrimination?

But I cannot stomach it if so called Chinese leaders like VK Liew speaks with a forked tongue just to please his political masters. Let me say this to VK Liew – “IF YOU HAVE TO FART, PLEASE DO IT IN THE COMFORT AND PRIVACY OF YOUR HOME. IF YOU HAVE MUCH TO HIDE, THEN QUIT”

It is on record and for reasons best known to MACC, they had acted in a very high handed manner against Lawyer Rosli Dahlan in asking him to declare his assets whereas he had never even served in any public office. He had been a private practitioner all along and despite his innocence, he was humiliated, abused and charged just because he acted professionally to defend his client. Yet, we now have a senior UMNO Minister and his Chinese deputy saying that MACC cannot be entitled to keep records of Ministers’ wealth. What is it that these UMNO and BN Chinese leaders so afraid of in making and open declaration of their wealth if all their accumulated wealth are legitimate?

I wish to remind VK Liew that he is elected by the people to serve in public office and his salary comes from law-abiding taxpayers.The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president is therefore accountable to the people at all times and can be made answerable the MACC when needed. If you have nothing to hide or what the Chinese would say, “Something that cannot see the daylight”, then what is there to fear?

If there’s nothing to hide, they should not be scared

As a former MACC advisory panel member, I fully support MACC Advisory Panel Chairman, Zaitun Zawiyah Puteh, over the commission’s proposal to the government as follows:

a) to obtain a copy of the declaration of assets of Cabinet members and their spouses and other family members;

b) that a copy of the declaration of assets of all members of the federal administration be given to the commission;

c) that their spouses and other family members be required to disclose their assets through a statutory declaration and a record of it be kept by the MACC.

No better person to know the assets of Ministers than the MACC

It is most appropriate for MACC to know the assets of all who hold high public office. That is what accountability and transparency is about in the public sector. Liew is, therefore, seriously flawed in his argument that MACC’s main role is only to receive and investigate complaints on corruption in the country.

To be an effective enforcement agency, the MACC must have reliable records to enable it to gather reliable and solid evidence for a successful prosecution. If Liew, cannot understand such basic logic in the fight against corruption, it is time for him to step down or for the people to elect another more intelligent leader.

“HUMBLENESS IS GOOD VIRTUE, ARROGANCE SHALL FALL,

THE MEEK WILL RULE THE WORLD”.

Tan Sri Datuk Robert Phang is a prominent citizen, an ex-member of the MACC advisory panel.

Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) diingatkan supaya tidak sibuk dengan isu-isu kecil dan prosedur tetapi sebaliknya memberi tumpuan utama kepada membersihkan daftar pemilih, kata Ketua Pembangkang, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“Tanggungjawab lebih besar bagi SPR adalah membersihkan pilihan raya, bersihkan daftar pemilih, pastikan pilihan raya yang adil dan akses media untuk semua (parti yang bertanding).

“SPR tidak harus terikat atau sibuk dengan perkara-perkara kecil kerana itu prosedur biasa. Ini satu cubaan untuk mengalihkan perhatian rakyat,” katanya pada sidang akhbar di Wangsa Maju hari ini.

Beliau mengulas laporan dalam akhbar The Star hari ini bahawa SPR akan menghentikan amalan mengadakan perarakan pada hari penamaan calon pilihan raya.

Parti-parti pembangkang sebelum ini menuduh SPR berdolak dalik berhubung syor dan cadangan yang telah dibuat oleh jawatankuasa terpilih khas parlimen (PSC) berhubung pembaharuan dalam sistem pilihan raya di negara ini.

Langkah terbaru SPR itu menimbulkan kebimbangan di kalangan parti pembangkang yang sebelum ini seringkali menuduh badan itu menyebelahi kerajaan yang diterajui BN dan sering cuba melambatkan reformasi pilihan raya.

Recent comments by Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim have demonstrated yet again how issues related to Israel continue to divide this majority-Muslim country – and could influence the country’s next national election.

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Mr. Anwar responded to the question of whether he would open diplomatic ties with Israel by stating his “support” for “efforts to protect the security of the state of Israel,” while at the same time backing the “legitimate rights of the Palestinians.” He stopped short of saying he would establish diplomatic relations between the two states – what he describes as a “tricky” issue – and stated that any change to the status quo would remain contingent on Israel recognizing the aspirations of the Palestinians.

Malaysia is one of three Southeast Asian nations including Indonesia and Brunei that does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, though limited economic ties exist between private companies in both countries.

“Some refuse to recognize the state of Israel,” he said, “but I think our policy should be clear – protect the security [of Israel] but you must be as firm in protecting the legitimate interests of the Palestinians.”

The comments triggered a storm of debate and criticism, with members of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and other groups accusing the leader of abandoning the Palestinian cause – an emotive cause long-supported in the majority-Muslim Southeast Asian nation.

Lawmakers called on Mr. Anwar’s opposition coalition to release an official statement on the issue, while president of the right-wing Malay group Perkasa Ibrahim Ali said he would raise the issue in Parliament.

Mr. Anwar responded by saying he supported a “two-state solution” with Palestine, a policy he said was no different from the official stance adopted by the United Nations and Malaysia itself.

“I am issuing a stern warning to anyone trying to twist my statement just so that they can say that I have betrayed the aspirations of the Palestinian people,” he said in a statement to the press. His party’s stand “is to defend the rights of whoever it is that has been victimised,” the statement said.

Though an ethnically-diverse nation that practices freedom of religion, Malaysia has declared Islam as its state religion and tensions over Israel-Palestine issues often boil over. A large percentage of the country’s population supports the Palestinian cause, and jumped to criticize Israel after it launched raids on Gaza in December 2008 and stormed a flotilla in May 2010 that was carrying activists and humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Tensions over the issue are even more on edge now, as Malaysia gears up for its next general election, which must be called by early next year, giving politicians more incentive to argue their views in the press than usual.

“The issue is tied in with Malaysia being an Islamic country,” and the idea that “therefore it should support Palestine,” said James Chin, a professor at the Malaysian branch of Australia’s Monash University. He added the caveat that support for the Palestinians became a much larger issue in Malaysian politics after the era of former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has been accused by world leaders of holding anti-Semitic views, which he disputes.

In a statement to the local press, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, a member of the ruling UMNO, disputed Mr. Anwar’s claim that Malaysia’s current policy on Israel is the same as his own. Although Malaysia officially supports a “two-state solution” in settling the Israel-Palestinian conflict, it has also sharply criticized actions taken by Israeli forces in the past, which the foreign minister indicated means Malaysia isn’t supporting “all steps” to protect Israeli security.

“[Anwar’s comments] show a blanket support for anything Israel does,” said Khairy Jamaluddin, the chief of UMNO’s youth wing, who disputed any suggestion Malaysia’s ruling party was trying to politicize the issue ahead of an election. “The issue of Palestine is a top foreign policy priority for my party, it would be an issue during the election year or otherwise… timing doesn’t matter.”

In 2010, Mr. Anwar – who in the past has been described as the face of liberal democracy in Malaysia – found himself on the other side of the argument after he lambasted UMNO for its relationship with a public relations firm called APCO. In Parliament, he said the firm was “controlled by Zionists” and working on behalf of the American government to influence Malaysian government policy – a charge denied by both the government and the public relations firm.

At the time, American-Jewish groups such as B’nai B’rith accused the opposition leader of “anti-Jewish” and “anti-Israel” slanders, and called on American officials to suspend their ties with Mr. Anwar.

Still, many analysts believe the latest kerfuffle is largely electioneering on the part of the ruling coalition, preoccupied with the looming possibility that the next election will be the hardest-fought yet.

“They’re just using it as a weapon to bring (Mr. Anwar) down,” said Mr. Chin at Monash University.

– Celine Fernandez contributed to this article

Jakarta – Pemimpin oposisi Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, membantah kedatangannya ke Indonesia untuk meminta dukungan dalam menghadapi pemilu Malaysia 2013. Kedatangannya hanya memenuhi undangan pihak terkait.

“Saya datang untuk memenuhi undangan di ITB di Bandung dan CIDES di sini. Tidak ada tujuan saya untuk itu (minta dukungan),” kata Anwar Ibrahim, usai menyampaikan pidato kebudayaan yang bertajuk ‘Kepemimpinan dalam Dinamika Perubahan Ekonomi Politik’ di Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM), Cikini, Jakarta Pusat, Senin (30/01/2012).

Anwar yakin pada pemilu 2013 mendatang akan menang, ssalkan pemilu itu berjalan tanpa kecurangan.
“Saya yakin kalau sekiranya pemilu itu bebas dan adil kita mampu menang dalam pemilu yang akan datang. Kami siap untuk itu Insya Allah,” ujar Anwar.

Jika terpilih pada pemilu Malaysia mendatang, Anwar pun akan menjalin hubungan yang lebih baik dengan Indonesia. Salah satunya menyelesaikan ketegangan antara kedua negara dengan cara yang baik.

“Kita (Malaysia-Indonesia) akan adakan hubungan dan kedekatan tinggi. Apa isu yang mendesak perbatasan, TKI, budaya diselesaikan dengan cara baik karena kita satu rumpun,” tegas Anwar.

Sokong Pelaksanaan Qazaf Sebagai Mekanisme Syariah Untuk Halang Fitnah dan Politik Lucah

Hari ini, 30 Januari 2012, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim melalui barisan peguamnya akan mengemukakan hujah di Mahkamah Rayuan Syariah Kuala Lumpur. Ini bertujuan agar Mahkamah meneliti semula keputusan yang dibuat oleh Hakim Mahkamah Tinggi Syariah Kuala Lumpur yang telah menolak permohonan untuk mahkamah memerintahkan supaya Ketua Pendakwa Syarie mendakwa Saiful Bukhari berhubung dengan kes qazaf.

Kelab Anwar Ibrahim (AIC) melihat pelaksanaan qazaf ini seharus dipermudahkan oleh Mahkamah, khususnya di dalam kes melibatkan Datuk Seri Anwar ini. Mahkamah Syariah mempunyai kapasiti yang jelas untuk membenarkan Saiful Bukhari dibicarakan melalui prosiding Mahkamah Syariah dan didakwa di atas tuduhan palsu yang beliau kemukakan pada tahun 2008.

Keputusan Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur pada 9 Januari 2012 jelas membuktikan bahawa tuduhan tersebut adalah tidak berasas, malah berniat jahat.

Pelaksanaan qazaf ini, secara jelas berpotensi menutup ruang fitnah daripada dilakukan secara berleluasa, malah ia juga dapat mengekang budaya menggunakan pertuduhan palsu melibatkan jenayah seksual sebagai satu alat politik untuk memusnahkan kredibiliti mana-mana pihak.

AIC melihat pembunuhan karakter ke atas Datuk Seri Anwar sudah menjadi semakin parah. Sekiranya pelaksanaan qazaf ini diperlekeh dan ditolak oleh Mahkamah Rayuan Syariah, ianya bukan sekadar satu ketidakadilan kepada Datuk Seri Anwar, malah secara tidak langsung menafikan prospek perundangan syariah yang jelas menjulang pembelaan hak-hak dan maruah mana-mana individu daripada difitnah sewenang-wenangnya.

Adalah sangat mendukacitakan, di saat Malaysia disebut-sebut sebagai Negara Islam Contoh oleh pemimpin negara, budaya fitnah dan penggunaan politik lucah semakin berleluasa di Malaysia sehingga ke satu tahap yang membimbangkan. Lebih memburukkan keadaan apabila ianya dijadikan satu senjata politik dan seolah tidak terhalang dan kebal daripada undang-undang.

Justeru harapan besar rakyat Malaysia amnya dan umat Islam yang prihatin khususnya, agar pelaksanaan qazaf ini dapat direalisasikan. Ayuh bersama tolak budaya fitnah dan politik lucah demi kemaslahatan rakyat dan negara, demi menjulang politik baru yang lebih matang dan segar.

Saifuddin Shafi Muhamad
Setiausaha
Kelab Anwar Ibrahim (AIC)

Kenyataan Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim berkenaan isu Palestin-Israel adalah selari dengan Inisiatif Keamanan Arab, malah didokong gerakan Islam seluruh dunia termasuk Hamas- sebuah gerakan yang mempelopori perjuangan rakyat Palestin.

Kenyataan Anwar, yang disiarkan oleh Wall Street Journal melalui satu wawancara 26 Januari lalu bagaimanapun diputarbelitkan media milik Umno, kata Ketua Penerangan KEADILAN, Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty.

Beliau ditanya mengenai prinsip Penyelesaian Dua Negara atau lebih dikenali sebagai Two-State Solution yang  turut dipersetujui Hamas dan Majlis Keselamatan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB).

“Hamas pernah menyatakan kebarangkalian untuk melihat realiti kewujudan dua buah negara yang berasingan, tetapi pemimpin Hamas mahu memastikan Israel benar-benar jujur untuk mengiktiraf negara Palestin menurut Resolusi Majlis Keselamatan PBB 1967,

“Bagaimanapun sekiranya kedaulatan negara Palestin ini tidak dijamin, Hamas tidak bersetuju.

“Jadi tidak menjadi kehairanan apabila Datuk Seri Anwar, dengan mengambil kiraan politik semasa menyebut mengenai isu ini yang tidak terkeluar dari pandangan gerakan Islam seluruh dunia termasuk Hamas,” kata Muhammad Nur.

Menurutnya lagi, ketua pembangkang itu juga sentiasa dimaklumkan mengenai pandangan dan dasar gerakan-gerakan Islam dalam konteks menyelesaikan konflik antara Palestin-Israel.

Tambah beliau, pendirian Anwar mengenai isu itu juga sangat konsisten dan tidak perlu dipertikaikan.

“Pendirian Anwar supaya rakyat Palestin mendapat hak balik mereka dari segi kesahihan sebagai warganegara tidak perlu dipertikaikan kerana beliau memang konsisten sejak berjuang dalam gerakan Islam dan arena politik.

“Ideanya tentang formula bagi menyelesaikan konflik Palestin dan Israel sentiasa selaras dengan gerakan Islam sedunia. Beliau mendahulukan tentang keselamatan negara palestin yang dijamin resolusisi PBB,” kata beliau yang juga bekas pemimpin Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM).

Bagaimanapun katanya, kenyataan Anwar mengenai isu sekuriti Israel cuba diputarbelitkan oleh media Utusan yang dimiliki Umno, seolah menggambarkan Anwar mementingkan keselamatan rejim itu.

“Sedangkan kerajaan sendiri dalam dasar luar menangani konflik Palestin-Israel sebelum ini tunduk kepada formula dengan mengiktiraf kedua negara, tetapi perkara ini dinafikan menteri luar, Datuk Seri Hanifah Aman,” ujar beliau.

Anwar dalam kenyataannya Sabtu lalu berkata, pendirian beliau sejajar dengan prinsip perjuangan  KEADILAN yang menjunjung tinggi prinsip keadilan sejagat dan tegas membela hak mereka yang dizalimi.

“Selain itu, pandangan saya ini ternyata selari dengan Resolusi Majlis Keselamatan Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) dan Inisiatif Keamanan Arab (Arab Peace Initiative) yang berteraskan Penyelesaian Dua Negara atau lebih dikenali sebagai Two-State Solution.

“Malahan dasar luar negara juga menekankan prinsip Penyelesaian Dua Negara sebagaimana yang diungkapkan YB Menteri Luar ketika Perbahasan Perhimpunan Agung PBB Sesi ke-66 pada 27hb September 2011 di New York.

Bagaimanapun kata Anwar kesediaan untuk mematuhi prinsip itu bergantung kepada syarat selagi mana hak rakyat Palestin tidak dicerobohi.

“Justeru saya memberi amaran keras kepada mana-mana pihak yang cuba memutar belit kenyataan saya semata-mata mahu menyebar fitnah kononnya saya mengkhianati aspirasi rakyat Palestin,” tegas beliau.