Mike Pouraryan
The Continued Plight of Anwar Ibrahim
Anwar Ibrahim, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, is about to go on trial for the second time for sodomy. What I find very strange is how Dr. Ibrahim has been subjected to this again after almost 10 years of prison that finally culminated in him being released. He has made a remarkable political comeback and I am a fan.
I have continued to question why has he been faced with such a dilema. Although I think that Mahatir Mohammad put Malaysia on the map, I think that some of his more authorative ways tarnished his reputation. The fact, for instance, that he forced all to learn English may well have been simple. But it helped Malaysia to be one of the tigers. Mahatir's conflict with Anwar was another one dark episode that made me question his legacy. I continue to wonder what would have happened if Anwar would have become Prime Minister instead of Abdullah Badawi.
The current Prime Minister, Najib, has a lot riding on Anwar's trial. I sincerely hope that Anwar will compel Najib to testify. I am not particuarly keen on Najib either especially after the incident with the lover and also the scandal with the jet engines. I am of the view that Anwar got too close to being Prime Minister and elements within the Government decided to sideline him. Let's see what Malaysian Justice will ultimately determine.
I have continued to question why has he been faced with such a dilema. Although I think that Mahatir Mohammad put Malaysia on the map, I think that some of his more authorative ways tarnished his reputation. The fact, for instance, that he forced all to learn English may well have been simple. But it helped Malaysia to be one of the tigers. Mahatir's conflict with Anwar was another one dark episode that made me question his legacy. I continue to wonder what would have happened if Anwar would have become Prime Minister instead of Abdullah Badawi.
The current Prime Minister, Najib, has a lot riding on Anwar's trial. I sincerely hope that Anwar will compel Najib to testify. I am not particuarly keen on Najib either especially after the incident with the lover and also the scandal with the jet engines. I am of the view that Anwar got too close to being Prime Minister and elements within the Government decided to sideline him. Let's see what Malaysian Justice will ultimately determine.
