Despite claims by its founder Anwar Ibrahim to the contrary, the current Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (Abim) leadership sees no need to shift gear to adopt a more political stance on issues of public interest.

Stating this, Abim secretary-general Azizuddin Ahmad also pointed out that the group had neither toned down in voicing out, nor shifted its stance, on such fundamental issues as corruption, injustice and the lack of democracy.

"We are as political as any group can get without being partisan to any political party," Azizuddin said when contacted recently.

"If you look at what Abim has been doing, we have never been absent (in voicing out) on such fundamental issues as corruption and injustice. We are still an advocacy group, whether on national or international issues," he added.

Lamenting the futility of being more political or vocal, Azizuddin blamed media organisations for Abim's apparent political insignificance on account of their selectiveness in carrying the group's statements on such issues as discrimination and the lack of democracy in the country.

"What's the point of being more vocal if certain media don't cover us? Even if we shout, people won't hear us if they don't carry (our statements)," he said.

Political neutrality

Azizuddin conceded, however, that Abim's constitutional requirement of political neutrality on the part of its members may contribute to Abim's low profile, as the group's office-holders cannot simultaneously hold office in a political party.

"That has been our policy all along. We have been treading that line between being political while not being partisan," said Azizuddin.

Last week, Anwar told malaysiakini in an interview that Abim should embark on a politically more aggressive approach to issues of public interest.

"I cannot accept the position of some old colleagues, for example in Abim, who try to impress to me that they are apolitical. I told them that it is untenable under the Islamic percepts because if you talk about ideals, you talk about a society of morally upright people - which means no corruption," said Anwar, who was Abim president for eight years before joining the Umno-led government in 1982.

In the interview, Anwar also claimed that "younger leaders" of an Abim delegation he had met after his release had seemed to agree to his wish to see a more political Abim, whereas three senior members who had had dealings with former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad were silent on the issue.

'We are not about Anwar'

Dismissing the existence of any fissures in Abim between "senior" and "younger" leaders, Azizuddin added that though Abim members are not discouraged from holding differences of opinion, policies are formulated and finalised after the consensus of everyone involved in the decision-making process has been reached.

"There's no such thing as 'senior members' factions' and 'younger members' factions'. There will always be disagreements as differences of opinions occur in every organisation. We do not restrict anybody from giving their views. Everybody has a right to discuss and open up points of discussion.

"But whatever we (decide to) do is based on consensus. Once Abim makes a decision, we all abide by it. Once we make the decision, it is final."

Azizuddin added that though strategies may change from time to time in accordance with the circumstances, Abim felt no pressure to change its current approach to issues despite such suggestions coming from someone as integral to Abim's development as Anwar.

"As someone who has been in government, perhaps he knows things better than us. He has been consistent on such issues as justice and the upholding of truth. We've also been speaking about justice and truth. Anybody who is holding to the truth will be speaking that same language.

"But we are not about Anwar."