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'What Anwar Ibrahim’s future premiership means for Asia and the globe', Asian Correspondent.Com, 3 October 2018
MALAYSIA’s prime minister-in-waiting and former political prisoner Anwar Ibrahim is expected to cruise to an easy victory in a by-election next weekend, taking him a step closer to realising his decades-long ambition of taking office.
Since the historic general election on May 9, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has repeatedly named Anwar as his successor — based on a power-sharing agreement made among Pakatan Harapan’s (Alliance of Hope) member parties before the polls — although it may take some years before the 93-year-old leader passes the mantle.
But for that to happen, Anwar, who received a royal pardon for his second sodomy conviction within a week of the former Barisan Nasional (National Front) government’s downfall, will need to run for a parliamentary seat.
In a bizarre dramatic twist, Anwar’s sodomy accuser, Saiful Bukhari Azlan, has also thrown his hat into the ring and will be fighting his former boss for the seat.
And although Anwar’s re-entry into Parliament brings much fanfare at home, his rise to the top post is expected to resonate across the region as well, especially with regards to Malaysia’s push for reforms and the promotion of democracy, experts say.
SEE ALSO: Malaysian opposition icon Anwar released from prison
Director of independent pollster Merdeka Center Ibrahim Suffian said Anwar is expected to carry on putting the country on the path of reform due to numerous commitments he had made in the past.
“The expectation is that he will also allow for civil liberties to flourish in Malaysia and find a way to strike a balance between managing the interest between the majority Muslim community and the minorities that make up the country,” Ibrahim told the Asian Correspondent when contacted.
“At the same time, he will project a progressive Islamic image for the country that is in tune with the ideals of democracy and also good governance.”
In an interview with the Nikkei Asian Review, the 71-year-old former deputy prime minister said his return to Parliament would allow him to play a “check-and-balance” role by looking at institutional reforms that include a review of the bumiputra policy, a contentious affirmative action programme that accords privileges to the majority Malay population and native ethnic groups.
“The policy, which is race-based and (has been) abused to enrich cronies, has to stop,” Anwar was quoted as saying.
The relationship with the US continued to flourish even more when Anwar was removed from Cabinet and slapped with sodomy and corruption charges in 1998, accusations he maintains were politically motivated.
Regardless of Anwar’s long-standing relationship with the west, Ibrahim believes Malaysia’s foreign policy would remain consistent amid the backdrop of rising tensions between the US and China.
“As a leader of a country, he will in all likelihood continue the non-aligned nature of Malaysian foreign policy try to get the best relationship for Malaysia with major superpowers like China, US, India and the rest of West,” Ibrahim said.
“I think he will continue to maintain that fine balance to allow Malaysians to have a more independent foreign policy that is not too closely aligned or dictated by the major powers.”
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Faculty of Social Sciences Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian says Anwar has always been loved by the leaders in the Asian region and in other countries as well.
“I believe if he rises to become the prime minister, he may want to use his background, his character to ensure that democracy can be upheld and to move forward to make Malaysia a better country for Asia and the others,” he told the Asian Correspondent.
Sivamurugan said Anwar’s foreign policy would “very much focus on to what extent he will be able to become the voice of the Islamic world and Asean, and also for the third world.”
“He is well-respected and although he has a good relationship with America, he will also make sure that Malaysia is not caught in the fight between these two superpowers, especially when it comes to Asean,” he said.
SEE ALSO: The billion-dollar book sale: Malaysians show support for 1MDB chronicle
Anwar’s wife and Malaysia’s current Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is expected to step down when Anwar replaces Dr Mahathir, has pointed out Anwar’s recognition as the “best” finance minister during the nineties.
“Previously what did Anwar Ibrahim do…he (Anwar) had done a lot to the extent that as the finance minister, he was the best then,” she told voters in Port Dickson recently.
Mohd Azizuddin pointed out, however, that by-elections usually see lower turnouts.
“Anwar will likely win because Port Dickson is largely a fortress for PKR, but Anwar must win big in order to give a boost in morale to his party and for him to become prime minister.”
Anwar has met some opposition within his party ranks and strong backers, but Mohd Azizuddin says these factors were “negligible”.
“What’s important for Anwar to focus on are the locals – who are the ones who will go out to vote for him and see him win big. And the victory will be good for him to become prime minister.”
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2018/10/what-anwar-ibrahims-future-premiership-means-for-asia-and-the-globe/
Since the historic general election on May 9, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has repeatedly named Anwar as his successor — based on a power-sharing agreement made among Pakatan Harapan’s (Alliance of Hope) member parties before the polls — although it may take some years before the 93-year-old leader passes the mantle.
But for that to happen, Anwar, who received a royal pardon for his second sodomy conviction within a week of the former Barisan Nasional (National Front) government’s downfall, will need to run for a parliamentary seat.
Democratic reforms
Come Oct 13, voters of Port Dickson, a popular seaside town in the central state of Negeri Sembilan, will be hitting the polling stations where Anwar faces six other candidates.And although Anwar’s re-entry into Parliament brings much fanfare at home, his rise to the top post is expected to resonate across the region as well, especially with regards to Malaysia’s push for reforms and the promotion of democracy, experts say.
SEE ALSO: Malaysian opposition icon Anwar released from prison
Director of independent pollster Merdeka Center Ibrahim Suffian said Anwar is expected to carry on putting the country on the path of reform due to numerous commitments he had made in the past.
“The expectation is that he will also allow for civil liberties to flourish in Malaysia and find a way to strike a balance between managing the interest between the majority Muslim community and the minorities that make up the country,” Ibrahim told the Asian Correspondent when contacted.
“At the same time, he will project a progressive Islamic image for the country that is in tune with the ideals of democracy and also good governance.”
“The policy, which is race-based and (has been) abused to enrich cronies, has to stop,” Anwar was quoted as saying.
Foreign policy
While taking on the role as deputy prime minister during Dr Mahathir’s first term as premier, Anwar, who led a massive Muslim student opposition movement called ABIM in his younger days, enjoyed a cordial relationship with the west, especially the United States.The relationship with the US continued to flourish even more when Anwar was removed from Cabinet and slapped with sodomy and corruption charges in 1998, accusations he maintains were politically motivated.
Regardless of Anwar’s long-standing relationship with the west, Ibrahim believes Malaysia’s foreign policy would remain consistent amid the backdrop of rising tensions between the US and China.
“As a leader of a country, he will in all likelihood continue the non-aligned nature of Malaysian foreign policy try to get the best relationship for Malaysia with major superpowers like China, US, India and the rest of West,” Ibrahim said.
“I think he will continue to maintain that fine balance to allow Malaysians to have a more independent foreign policy that is not too closely aligned or dictated by the major powers.”
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Faculty of Social Sciences Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian says Anwar has always been loved by the leaders in the Asian region and in other countries as well.
“I believe if he rises to become the prime minister, he may want to use his background, his character to ensure that democracy can be upheld and to move forward to make Malaysia a better country for Asia and the others,” he told the Asian Correspondent.
Sivamurugan said Anwar’s foreign policy would “very much focus on to what extent he will be able to become the voice of the Islamic world and Asean, and also for the third world.”
“He is well-respected and although he has a good relationship with America, he will also make sure that Malaysia is not caught in the fight between these two superpowers, especially when it comes to Asean,” he said.
SEE ALSO: The billion-dollar book sale: Malaysians show support for 1MDB chronicle
Anwar’s wife and Malaysia’s current Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is expected to step down when Anwar replaces Dr Mahathir, has pointed out Anwar’s recognition as the “best” finance minister during the nineties.
“Previously what did Anwar Ibrahim do…he (Anwar) had done a lot to the extent that as the finance minister, he was the best then,” she told voters in Port Dickson recently.
Anwar needs to win big
In order to boost the morale of the People’s Justice Party (PKR), the multi-ethnic party that Anwar leads, the charismatic leader needs to secure a huge margin, Professor Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said.Mohd Azizuddin pointed out, however, that by-elections usually see lower turnouts.
“Anwar will likely win because Port Dickson is largely a fortress for PKR, but Anwar must win big in order to give a boost in morale to his party and for him to become prime minister.”
Anwar has met some opposition within his party ranks and strong backers, but Mohd Azizuddin says these factors were “negligible”.
“What’s important for Anwar to focus on are the locals – who are the ones who will go out to vote for him and see him win big. And the victory will be good for him to become prime minister.”
https://asiancorrespondent.com/2018/10/what-anwar-ibrahims-future-premiership-means-for-asia-and-the-globe/
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Wednesday, September 19, 2018
'Soal survival UMNO setelah Tok Pa, Anifah keluar', Bernama, 19 September 2018
Kamarul Irwan Alias & Mohd Afiq Zulkifli
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 Sept (Bernama) -- Tidak sampai 24 jam, dua pemimpin utama UMNO – Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed dan Datuk Seri Anifah Aman bertindak keluar parti, sekali gus menimbulkan persoalan terhadap survival parti itu.
Ini ditambah pula dengan tersebarnya satu senarai mengandungi nama pemimpin UMNO lagi yang kononnya akan meninggalkan parti itu yang tumbang pada pilihan raya umum lalu selepas lebih enam dekad berada di tampuk pemerintahan negara.
Desas-desus kemungkinan ramai lagi pemimpin UMNO yang akan 'angkat kaki' turut mendapat perhatian penganalisis politik dari Universiti Sains Malaysia, Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian.
“Mungkin pemimpin-pemimpin ini merasakan hala tuju parti kini tidak seiring dengan perjuangan asal mereka dan memilih untuk keluar parti," katanya ketika dihubungi hari ini.
Katanya, beliau menjangkakan akan ada satu 'senarai panjang' pemimpin dan anggota UMNO yang akan keluar parti, mengikut jejak langkah Mustapa dan Anifah selepas ini.
Sivamurugan berkata keadaan itu menggambarkan krisis dalaman UMNO yang mungkin disebabkan oleh faktor hala tuju parti berkenaan pada masa ini termasuk dilihat seolah-olah gagal merejuvenasi parti berusia 72 tahun itu dalam usaha meraih kembali sokongan orang ramai.
Sebelum ini, tiga anggota Parlimen dari UMNO juga telah meninggalkan parti itu selepas Pilihan Raya Umum ke-14 (PRU14) Mei lalu iaitu Anggota Parlimen Masjid Tanah Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin yang juga bekas Ketua Puteri UMNO, Datuk Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali (Bagan Serai) dan Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang).
Prof Madya Dr Ahmad Marthada Mohamed, Dekan Kolej Undang-undang, Kerajaan dan Pengajian Antarabangsa Univerisit Utara Malaysia berkata Perhimpunan Agung UMNO akhir bulan ini menjadi amat signifikan kerana ia bakal menentukan 'survival' parti itu.
"Akan ada suara-suara permintaan daripada pemimpin-pemimpin yang masih tinggal untuk UMNO mengubah hala tuju, mengubah corak kepimpinan, membuang pemimpin-pemimpin yang tidak lagi relevan," katanya menambah jika ia tidak dilakukan, lebih ramai anggota parti akan beralih arah kepada parti politik yang lain.
Beliau menjangkakan penglibatan bekas perdana menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak juga akan dipersoal ahli akar umbi kerana sering membuat kenyataan-kenyataan yang memberi kesan kepada UMNO walaupun tidak lagi berada dalam saf kepimpinan.
Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar, pensyarah Sains Politik Universiti Islam Antarabangsa pula melihat perletakan jawatan Mustapa dan Anifah sebagai manifestasi ketidakyakinan perubahan dalam parti yang dijanjikan oleh presiden UMNO.
"Tok Pa keluar UMNO kerana tidak percaya parti itu boleh dipulihkan semula sementara Anifah pula kerana janji untuk meletakkan jawatan sekiranya Umno dan BN gagal menunaikan janji berhubung Perjanjian Malaysia 1963.
"Tapi itu alasan rasmi, sebab-sebab lain yang dirancang tidak pasti namun pengunduran dua orang yang juga bekas menteri kanan dikira boleh mengoyangkan parti orang Melayu itu," katanya.
Katanya, krisis yang sedang berlaku itu memberi ruang kepada pihak lawan untuk melemahkan UMNO, sekali gus ‘menguburkan’ parti itu.
Faktor politik wang dan slogan ‘cash is king’ juga dilihat sudah sebati dengan UMNO sehingga sekarang dan memberi kesan terhadap perkhidmatan wakil rakyat parti itu kepada rakyat di kawasan masing-masing.
"Saya ada bercakap dengan pemimpin-pemimpin UMNO yang menyatakan orang ramai masih meminta sumbangan wang walaupun mereka bukan lagi kerajaan yang memerintah kerana ‘cash is king’ telah menjadi satu budaya dan pendekatan selama ini," kata Ahmad Marthada.
Soal kerjasama UMNO-Pas juga akan mendapat perhatian perhimpunan agung itu dalam menentukan hala tuju pakatan parti-parti pembangkang itu.
-- BERNAMA
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