Can Anwar now lead Malaysia?
John GrafiloPublished: Jan 9, 2012 2:10 PM | Updated: Jan 9, 2012 2:35 PM
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim might be perceived internationally as the voice of democracy in Malaysia, but Malaysians have mixed feelings about him.
A debate raged about whether Anwar, 64, is fit to lead Malaysia as it awaited what turned out to be today's unexpected not guilty verdict on his second sodomy charge and general elections that could be called as early as the first half of this year.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim might be perceived internationally as the voice of democracy in Malaysia, but Malaysians have mixed feelings about him.
A debate raged about whether Anwar, 64, is fit to lead Malaysia as it awaited what turned out to be today's unexpected not guilty verdict on his second sodomy charge and general elections that could be called as early as the first half of this year.
"Ah, Anwar," Abdul said as his voice trailed into a whisper, as if the mere mention of Anwar was an incantation of the devil.
The 39-year-old government employee who refused to give his real name said he believed Anwar was guilty of sodomy, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in jail in this South-East Asian country, and not fit to lead Malaysia.
"He deserves to be convicted," Abdul said. "He got lucky during his first offence because he was freed, but he did it again. He never learned his lesson."
But Abdul's friend Augustine, who also would not give his real name, disagreed and said Anwar was framed by the government to stifle reform in the country.
"The sodomy cases against Anwar were fabricated, and the majority of Malaysians have seen through this lie," he said.
"If Anwar is convicted and imprisoned, the reform movement will further intensify. We are ready to fight for reforms even if Anwar is thrown in jail."
Abdul labelled Anwar an Islamist, pointing to his roots as a radical Muslim student leader who defaced English-language signs at the University of Malaya, but his friend said Anwar had abandoned the radical ways of his youth and is now a fighter for democracy.
A food shop owner said that while he might have doubts about Anwar's character, he believed in his leadership abilities.
"I think he is sincere in his efforts to reform the government," he said. "I think the ruling party has been in power too long to be able to change its ways."
Equity and justice
Anwar's star shone brightest when he was appointed finance minister and then deputy prime minister in the 1990s as a protege of long-time prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
His relationship with Mahathir was described as that of a father and son.
But the two were embroiled in an acrimonious fight over financial and economic policies that eventually led to the sacking of Anwar from all government and party posts.
Unbowed, Anwar accused Mahathir's government of nepotism and corruption and continued to pursue his campaign for reforms outside government.
But his advocacy hit a bump when he was accused and convicted of sodomy in 2000.
He was jailed until his conviction was overturned in 2004, when a Federal Court panel called the main witness against him unreliable and ruled that Anwar should have been acquitted.
Four years later, the father of five jolted Malaysian politics when his opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat, or People's Alliance, denied the ruling party a two-thirds majority in Parliament for the first time in its more than 50 years in power.
But just as he and his party were preparing to wrest power from the ruling Barisan Nasional, Anwar was accused a second time of sodomy, shortly after the 2008 elections, by a 24-year-old former aide.
The trial dragged on for two years. The judge handed down a not guilty verdict in the case Monday.
Apparently fearing he would be convicted and thrown back into prison, Anwar toured the country in the days ahead of the decision to urge people to continue fighting even without him for the reforms he advocates, including reforms of the judicial and electoral systems.
"We have to ensure that the government respects human rights, freedom and democracy, and we will implement economic policies that not only promote growth but enhance equity and justice among our people," he said at a rally on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
- dpa
A debate raged about whether Anwar, 64, is fit to lead Malaysia as it awaited what turned out to be today's unexpected not guilty verdict on his second sodomy charge and general elections that could be called as early as the first half of this year.
"Ah, Anwar," Abdul said as his voice trailed into a whisper, as if the mere mention of Anwar was an incantation of the devil.
The 39-year-old government employee who refused to give his real name said he believed Anwar was guilty of sodomy, a crime punishable by up to 20 years in jail in this South-East Asian country, and not fit to lead Malaysia.
"He deserves to be convicted," Abdul said. "He got lucky during his first offence because he was freed, but he did it again. He never learned his lesson."But Abdul's friend Augustine, who also would not give his real name, disagreed and said Anwar was framed by the government to stifle reform in the country.
"The sodomy cases against Anwar were fabricated, and the majority of Malaysians have seen through this lie," he said.
"If Anwar is convicted and imprisoned, the reform movement will further intensify. We are ready to fight for reforms even if Anwar is thrown in jail."
Abdul labelled Anwar an Islamist, pointing to his roots as a radical Muslim student leader who defaced English-language signs at the University of Malaya, but his friend said Anwar had abandoned the radical ways of his youth and is now a fighter for democracy.
A food shop owner said that while he might have doubts about Anwar's character, he believed in his leadership abilities.
"I think he is sincere in his efforts to reform the government," he said. "I think the ruling party has been in power too long to be able to change its ways."
Equity and justice
Anwar's star shone brightest when he was appointed finance minister and then deputy prime minister in the 1990s as a protege of long-time prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
His relationship with Mahathir was described as that of a father and son.
But the two were embroiled in an acrimonious fight over financial and economic policies that eventually led to the sacking of Anwar from all government and party posts.
Unbowed, Anwar accused Mahathir's government of nepotism and corruption and continued to pursue his campaign for reforms outside government.But his advocacy hit a bump when he was accused and convicted of sodomy in 2000.
He was jailed until his conviction was overturned in 2004, when a Federal Court panel called the main witness against him unreliable and ruled that Anwar should have been acquitted.
Four years later, the father of five jolted Malaysian politics when his opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat, or People's Alliance, denied the ruling party a two-thirds majority in Parliament for the first time in its more than 50 years in power.
But just as he and his party were preparing to wrest power from the ruling Barisan Nasional, Anwar was accused a second time of sodomy, shortly after the 2008 elections, by a 24-year-old former aide.
The trial dragged on for two years. The judge handed down a not guilty verdict in the case Monday.
Apparently fearing he would be convicted and thrown back into prison, Anwar toured the country in the days ahead of the decision to urge people to continue fighting even without him for the reforms he advocates, including reforms of the judicial and electoral systems.
"We have to ensure that the government respects human rights, freedom and democracy, and we will implement economic policies that not only promote growth but enhance equity and justice among our people," he said at a rally on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.
- dpa
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