Anwar Ibrahim: ‘It Was A Terrible Time’

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Do you still see yourself as an East-West fusion figure?
I have been playing that role for a long time. It is an important one. You just can't assume that people understand each other. In our party, you need to reassure both the Malays and the non-Malays. You need people working together, being more sensitive to each other. We had the three races [Malays, Chinese and Indians] going together and campaigning; we really are a multiracial party.

What about now, are you bridging the gap between the other two opposition parties?
I have had extensive discussions with both of them. We agree we have to work to build a more cohesive opposition. In the next few days, we are going to meet in private and set out the parameters of lasting cooperation. We have already fixed the date and time.

What are your feelings toward your mentor turned nemesis, ex-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad?
You brought him up, not me. I have forgotten him. He is old, he is not well and he is not an issue for me. I am not out to prove anything to him. In order to succeed, we have to look beyond him.

Has your time in prison altered any of your views?
No one enjoys prison. It was a terrible time for me and my family. But it was at least a time for reflection. I read Shakespeare's complete works four and a half times. I read the Qur'an, I read Chinese classics and the Hindu Ramayana, and many, many great novels. Except for days when I was at court, I was just reading from 8 in the morning until midnight.

What are the most pressing issues ahead?
I passionately believe in democracy and freedom, more than before. These are issues of human concern that transcend race and religion. Before the election I was at a rally in a majority Chinese constituency, Bukit Penang. At the end, I had to hurry to another appointment. But a Chinese lady came up to me and she said, "Please, protect my children." As you can see, I am feeling quite sentimental. I do draw the line about politics being just a game. People support you because you have principles.

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Posted By: JustMalaysian @ 03/28/2008 5:40:14 AM

TrueMalaysian, i think you should do a proper research too.... Did you not know that all the sex allegations against Anwar have been dropped by the court? I guess you are not in Malaysia at the time the judgment was announced.
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Posted By: skwong43 @ 03/23/2008 11:32:20 PM

As Malaysians, we should move forward regardless race or religion or political background. Now that the election is over and the people have voted their choices, the federal Government should now stop at politicising and criticising the winners froom the opposition. The federal government had been ruling the country for more than 50 years and in most of the states for about the same time. The people have decided that it is time for a change. Let the present government run the states and see how they perform for the next 4-5 years. If the people decide that it is not up to their expectation, they will decide in the next election. Stop harping and criticising just becos' the states were lost to the opposition.
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Posted By: corruptking @ 03/21/2008 1:02:38 PM

I was one of the silent majority voted against BN during the recent election. I was sick of BN race based politics. Politicians are so corrupt, judiciary and justice system have been destroyed, politicians and police were linked to gangsters, loan sharks, etc to make money. Money made were channeled back to buy votes during each election. Anwar should be praised as we realised the serious consequences of this corrupt political business system in malaysia, No one needs to migrate but to stay and join anwar to fight against this evil political business system via race based politics until doomsday. God would bless the the righteous and defeat the evils. Mamak Mahathir or Bodowi is not the issue but the sickening corrupt political business system via race based politics must be destroyed once and for all at all costs. United Nations and the developed countries must give their full support against such evil policy which is worse than apartheid policy in south africa in the past.