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Subject:
[alternatif-net] Anwar Ibrahim talks to The West Australian
Date:
Thu, 2 Nov 2000 21:03:33 -0800 (PST)
From:
Agenda Kita <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To:
[EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Anwar Ibrahim talks to The West Australian
MALAYSIAN politician Anwar Ibrahim remains defiant in
jail and in high spirits almost two years after he was
deposed as Deputy Prime Minister and convicted on
abuse of power and sodomy charges.
Like South Africa's Nelson Mandela, South Korea's Kim
Dae Jung and East Timor's Xanana Gusmao, Anwar
believes truth and justice will prevail in the end and
he will be cleared and freed from his 15-year
sentence.
In a letter smuggled out of his prison on the
outskirts of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur,
Anwar has replied to questions posed by The West
Australian newspaper.
QUESTION: For a person who has held high office, it
must be difficult for you to spend your days in a 4m
by 3m cell at Sungei Buloh prison on the outskirts of
Kuala Lumpur?
ANWAR: The prison system is repressive, but I've
learnt to manage well, being preoccupied with prayers,
reading and contemplating.
Otherwise, prison life can be a bore leading a life of
indolence and lethargy.
I have been in solitary confinement for the last two
years, but I do meet inmates occasionally peeping into
my cell on their way to the clinic.
Fortunately, unlike tales of atrocities in the Gulag,
Auschwitz, etc, the prison guards are rather friendly
and sympathetic.
I meet Azizah and the family once in three weeks,
communicating by phone, separated by glass. I'm able
to meet my counsel but no friends, family or
associates are allowed.
QUESTION: Do you have any regrets about what has
happened? It is said that prime ministers pick their
deputies or heirs-apparent, that is the way it is done
in Malaysia. And it does not look Dr Mahathir will go
in the short-term? Have you gone too far with your
campaign and burnt the bridges?
ANWAR: I don't have a choice. There is a limit to what
one can endure. It's no longer merely having to
conceal one's revulsions against gross injustice,
abuse of power and rampant corruption.
On the bailout of his (Mahathir's) son Mirzan after
the financial crisis, I was asked initially to approve
the multi-billion-ringgit scheme. I had to refuse and
that was the ultimate (issue) that incurred his wrath.
Unlike my predecessor and the present deputy prime
minister, I was elected into office as Deputy
President of the party (UMNO - the dominant partner in
the ruling coalition) prior to my appointment as the
Deputy Prime Minister.
And it's not an issue of burning bridges but of
articulating your beliefs and commitment to democracy,
justice and the rule of law.
Seeing the fate of his friends in the neighbouring
countries, it is not conceivable that Dr Mahathir
would opt to gracefully depart from the scene.
On the contrary, looking at the bank merger proposals,
new privatisation and contract deals, he is determined
to ensure that his family and crony interests are
entrenched.
QUESTION: Do you believe you will return to the
leadership of UMNO and Malaysia? Or, do you believe
UMNO is finished as far as you are concerned, and you
will return to power at the head of a new party, such
as Keadilan (Justice Party) or a coalition of parties?
ANWAR: I have publicly endorsed the Keadilan party and
am committed to the alternative party's agenda, the
Barisan Alternatif (a coalition of opposition
parties).
UMNO has not made any meaningful attempt towards
reform. On the contrary, the coalition or parties had
introduced an elaborate reform plan, upholding
democracy and the rule of law and promoting economic
growth with equity.
QUESTION: A nagging question is why should Dr Mahathir
act to remove you after having defended you and
rejected all accusations against you as unacceptable?
Are there forces beyond Dr Mahathir's control?
ANWAR: I am untenable as a nemesis not only to Dr
Mahathir, but to his close associates such as Daim
Zainuddin who was publicly known to have amassed
enormous wealth as Finance Minister.
My views expounded in the Asian Renaissance, my
crusade against corruption, cronyism and nepotism are
perceived as threats to the ruling clique.
Notwithstanding, Dr Mahathir is certainly accountable
as the supremo in the entire charade. Despite police
reports, documents adduced to prove corruption against
Dr Mahathir, Daim, (International Trade) Minister
Rafidah (Aziz), no action is ever envisaged.
QUESTION: Some say Dr Mahathir played party politics,
and so did you and you lost? Do you accept that?
ANWAR: Yes, I lost the job and am incarcerated. But
there is an ensuing struggle. It's a temporary relief
for the corrupt conspirators. But, I trust in the
wisdom of Malaysians, that truth, justice and virtue
are external in nature; and would ultimately prevail.
QUESTION: It is said that you cultivated your
followers and they were itching to wrestle power so
they could pursue and advance their own agendas. How
do you respond?
ANWAR: Undoubtedly, I do have my supporters, who may
be impatient. So does Dr Mahathir with his cronies.
The issue is whether power is abused; corruption is
condoned. I've demanded an independent commission to
check all excesses, corruption against all leaders,
including myself whilst in Government. Dr Mahathir
does not have the moral courage to respond.
QUESTION: That when you spoke about corruption and the
need for rule of law and justice, you knew very well
that this was not possible in the absolute sense
because of the culture prevailing in the country. You
knew your team would be swallowed by the prevailing
system and you would be restrained from moving away
from the path taken by past leaders. How do you
respond?
ANWAR: Precisely, we need the reforms. The present
leadership seems to condone corruption and the
excesses. They are allowing the institution of
government to be infected and become cancerous.
There is public outrage and this needs to be channeled
through a comprehensive reform agenda. Otherwise it
would become endemic, as part of the Malaysian
culture.
QUESTION: I am told support for you is growing. But it
is not being translated into visible wins for you.
Rallies and protests are held, but they are forgotten
almost as quickly as they are held. What, in your
view, must happen before you can be propelled back
into office?
ANWAR: We are operating in a repressive system. As
history has shown, surprises do happen. Meanwhile, we
will have to sustain our efforts, disseminate
information and strengthen our resolve. Patience is a
virtue.
QUESTION: Now that you have been sentenced to 15 years
jail, what is the future for you and, more generally,
for the Reformasi movement in Malaysia?
ANWAR: I have said that the sentence by Mahathir's
court is unjust, disgraceful, and revolting. I
vehemently reject the allegations and the conviction.
The struggle and reforms have to continue.
QUESTION: Do you harbour any resentment towards Azizan
Abu Bakar for his role in your conviction? (Azizan
accused Anwar of sodomising him.)
ANWAR: Azizan is merely a small pawn; recanted umpteen
times, but timid all the same. He is quite irrelevant.
Had he not succumbed to their threat or promise, there
may be others.
QUESTION: Do you feel that with Dr Mahathir's eventual
departure from office, you might be pardoned or at
least granted a pardon or early release?
ANWAR: I demand a retrial by competent independent
judges. I'm innocent and should not be in jail.
QUESTION: Could you work with Abdullah Badawi (the
Deputy Prime Minister who could succeed Dr Mahathir)
or Najib Razak (the Defence Minister and senior party
leader)? What are your thoughts on current UMNO
leaders other than Dr Mahathir?
ANWAR: We work based on principles and a clear agenda.
The clamour for Reformasi has claimed victims and
inflicted pain on many. At the very least, we'll have
to honour our commitment to democracy and the rule of
law.
QUESTION: Since the formation of Keadilan and Barisan
Alternatif, the ruling coalition has gone to great
lengths to convince voters that it is the only choice
for Malaysians, and particularly non-bumiputras, who
see stability and economic growth as paramount. How
can you, or your parties, counter this perception and
harness the vote of the influential Chinese in
particular?
ANWAR: Despite the barrage of attacks and venom
against Keadilan and Barisan Alternatif, the majority
of the Malays supported them. I believe the
non-Malays, particularly the Chinese and Indians would
appreciate the facts and our programs and not be duped
by the lies by the controlled media.
The Barisan Alternatif is committed to economic
growth. And, the Chinese are equally concerned with
the issue of justice and the rule of law.
QUESTION: Given the attention your case has received
overseas, do you have any particular message for your
supporters outside Malaysia?
ANWAR: We are truly appreciative of your support. A
free media can work wonders. Express your views and
write to the relevant authorities.
QUESTION: What more could world leaders and Australian
politicians do to gain your freedom?
ANWAR: I trust Australian politicians know their
priorities as they have indicated in the past. Their
role in enlightening the world on the plight of the
Timorese, for example, is well recognised.
- from Freeanwar.com
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