Congratulations Anwar! (Translated from Malay to English)
In 2020, I wrote some views on the future of Anwar Ibrahim and how Anwar could become Prime Minister. It was not an easy thing, as a government man at the time, it was not easy to write about Anwar. It seems that my predictions are not far off, that Anwar could become prime minister with the help of UMNO even though many disagree with that view.
However, Malaysians, especially the younger generation, do not know much about the twists and turns of Anwar's life, especially in politics. For example, the new generation did not know much about Anwar's life at the University of Malaya (the 1970s) fighting for the sovereignty of the Malay language on the streets of Kuala Lumpur then. Similarly, Anwar's success opened the government's eyes to poverty in Baling in the early 1970s by organizing mass demonstrations.
During his time as president of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Force (Abim), Anwar was chosen as the only youth leader to gain the trust of the Saudi King in developing the eminence of Islam in Malaysia through international organizations such as The International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT) and various Islamic organizations based in Saudi Arabia where Anwar was also appointed as the driver.
It was this network of Islamic leadership that strengthened Anwar's relationship with the Arab world, especially in Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and African Muslim countries. That is why Anwar's entry into UMNO in 1981 changed the development of Islam in Malaysia from secular education to Islamic education through ABIM, ABIM Kindergarten, and even Yayasan ANDA also had a branch in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah in the 1980s.
BRING THE ISLAH BANNER
Islam masking the aura among Muslim women in Malaysia began to grow when Anwar brought the image of Islam to his and the government's struggle. Islam never dies in Anwar's soul, for example in 2010 in the Salihara Community, Anwar said "I am proud as a Muslim and I am committed to the principles of Islam. But I have a big opinion, even though I am different from the circles that make Islam a deterrent factor".
Politically, Anwar chose UMNO in 1981 because he believed he could make UMNO a major party at the time to a better fight. With the current changes and the Anwar-Zahid coupling, will Anwar ever return to lead UMNO? Anwar's collection of speeches entitled 'Tackling Change' (1989) has never changed. For more than 30 years Anwar carried the banners of change or Islah or more popular 'reform'.
It is also in line with the struggles of Anwar's fellow scholars in the Institute of Policy Studies (IKD), UNISEL by bringing about greater meaning in the systematic life of the nation. For example, the term 'patriotic' is elevated to the term 'nation'. People used to talk about culture but Anwar talked about civilization. People spoke the term 'lesson' but Anwar introduced the term 'education'.
Many people quarreled about the Malay language but Anwar dared to use the language of Malaysia. Anwar, a strong reader, should not be concerned about religious comparisons because Anwar has read Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata, Shakespeare's works, and even some bible translations.
FAMILIARITY WITH WORLD LEADERS
Internationally, Anwar and Indonesia are inseparable. It is not new, as Anwar has been with Indonesian youth leaders since the 1970s. Even on a family visit last week in Jakarta, Jusuf Kalla seemed very happy Anwar finally became prime minister after his work during the reconciliation era almost 10 years ago.
Let's mention some of the big names who are very familiar with Anwar in their respective fields such as Sheikh Taha Jabair Al-Alwani and Dr. Jamal Barzanji (IIIT), Gareth Evans (ICG), Dr. Otto Graf Lambsdoff (FNF), Carl Gershman (NED), Lorne Craner (IRI), Andrew Natsios (USAID) excluding neighboring figures such as Jusuf Kalla, the late B.J. Habibie, and Gusdur.
Anwar and science never parted. After treatment in Munich (2005), Anwar emigrated to London to become a lecturer at Saints Anthony's College, Oxford. In London, Anwar had the opportunity to exchange views with major political and government figures such as Al-Gore, Desmond Tutu, and Mary Robinson.
At the same time, the International Crisis Group (ICG) appointed Anwar as a member of the Board of Trustees (2006). In fact, in an elite group of world investors, Anwar was also selected as the President of Accountability, an international investment network in Generation Investment Management Group (GIMG).
I am therefore optimistic that Malaysia's international investment and trade issues with international business will benefit the people and the country. We need to give time to Anwar and his cabinet team, and not be too prejudiced.
GIVE IT TIME
I think it's time we focus our energy and mind on realizing people's development and well-being agendas, as opposed to relentlessly suffocating politicking. Give time to Anwar to execute Islah in the government and the country.
There is nothing to worry about because the world is changing, people are maturing, and information is at their fingertips. No one else can lift his chin past the heights because Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who was so good at the nation's development, became prime minister twice, and finally fell into the hands of the people.
Congratulations Anwar.
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