Anwar: dialog dgn West Australian Reporter
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
