My book, 'ANWAR: PRISON TO PALACE, PM FOR ALL', reminds me of the resilience and determination of one man who dared to dream of a better future for his country. In retrospect, as a journalist attending his press conferences, Anwar always greeted me and others with a warm beaming smile. My friendship continued with Anwar Ibrahim even when he was in prison when I lent him books through his lawyer. He would return them to the lawyer to me within a month with a note on how he appreciated the content in the books I lent him. I also once visited the prison with an NGO to serve Deepavali cookies to prisoners and had the pleasure of meeting him again.
Our camaraderie continued through his late friend Datuk Ravi Dharan, a close friend of the late Indonesian President Abdul Rahman Wahid (Gus Dur). When Anwar was freed, Gus Dur often chatted with Anwar at Ravi’s house in the Tropicana Hills. Ravi, a close friend of Anwar and Gus Dur, provided two floors for PKR’s office in his 10-storey building in the Phileo area at Section 16, Petaling Jaya.
My acquaintances with Anwar extended when I worked for overseas international TV networks like BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera and others in arranging interviews with Anwar during his brief period when he was out of prison. In all our discussions, Anwar spoke truthfully from his heart, mind and soul. And was warm and hospitable and would courteously walk the TV crew and me out, chatting, cracking jokes and laughing after the interview. About ten years ago, foreign TV producers and reporters told me, “Krishna, Anwar is the man to watch. He is the Prime Minister in waiting and would helm the nation one day.”
Many years later, I decided to write a book on ANWAR: PRISON TO PALACE, PM FOR ALL, to record how he suffered and triumphed again to be the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia.
“I am proud of Anwar Ibrahim, who took the beating and survived different times in Prison for ten years. Anwar was also poorly, shoddily served and rose to the Prime Minister of Malaysia ranks. I wish Anwar well and pray he will improve prisoners' welfare, care and living conditions. I am hopeful and confident that Anwar is taking Malaysia to the next level of economic development.”
“Now, as Prime Minister, Anwar expects nothing from anyone, as expectation always hurts. Ready to help ever, hurt never. It hails from his practice of Love All Serve All. For a man who suffered pain, grief and loneliness in Prison, he remains the same caring, compassionate and loving leader. Never abandoning his wide beaming smile and cheerful countenance," said Zaini Omar, a former Director General of DCA and JKR.
The book is unique in its creative layout and conversational style of writing. The front-page subtitle is: "Malaysians speak up for Reformasi and Unity to Succeed." Malaysians contributed to about 30 per cent of the book.
Bernama's former chairman, CEO and editor, Datuk Azman Ujang's foreword of the book noted: "It's no exaggeration to say that Anwar Ibrahim's long and winding political career culminating in him becoming Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister, is the world's Eighth Wonder.
We are all happy Anwar achieved his dream of being Prime Minister. Among the many inspirational icons and international leaders, Anwar is one whose footprints leave indelible marks on his life. This book talks about his struggles – from PRISON TO the PALACE, PM FOR ALL.
"A philosophy of transparency, integrity and justice drives Anwar. There is no room for pretentious talk or egoistic warfare. Anwar has the distinctive quality of grit to lead and the vision to move Malaysia forward following the victory of GE15. For him, it is about living and doing what is right and just for the masses. He is now the PM for all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion or region. Anwar is taking over the country during unprecedented times. His premiership is heralded as the dawn of a new and united Malaysia."
Azman added: "The book visualizes and paints a picture of hope for the future, learning from past mistakes, and improving ourselves. Anwar is a man whose promises and delivery will make him a great leader. It is his commitment to serving a multiracial and multireligious society that will make him Malaysia's dream leader. Anwar created history – from Prison to the Palace to the Prime Minister's office. Today, he faces a very different sort of trial - bringing stability to a country under the shadow of one of the world's biggest financial scandals (1MDB) ever seen."
This book has Malaysian narratives and articles that best describe ANWAR - PRISON TO PALACE and PM FOR ALL. Chapters reflect the inner stirrings and extracts of Malaysian journalists and commentators who shed penetrating insights into the events leading to the iconic moment of Anwar's crowning glory as Prime Minister. The book weaves stories of hurt and healing, abuse and forgiveness, gloom and glory, and tears and triumph. GE15 results on November 19, 2022, was a momentous day for all Malaysians. It heralded a new economic, social and political landscape for the citizens.
With the new Prime Minister, it's time to hit the reset button and refresh for some glorious years ahead. Now we see some light after Malaysians wandered in a dark, intimidating wilderness led by backdoor Governments (2020 to 2022).
At 74, I wrote this book because writing is my lifelong learning journey, and it is necessary to keep me alive and away from friends and family disputes and anger, which can destroy my health. I shut my mind against naysayers and kept writing, rewriting and editing, sometimes into the wee hours of the night.
I have lectured voluntarily as once the president of the I-Authors Club, guiding and encouraging aspiring authors to write books after having written eight books myself. Two of them were bestsellers. As a journalist and professor in journalism for almost four decades, I feel often many things said are forgotten, and this is my way of documenting them for posterity.
In Prison, Anwar fully engaged in reading and meditation, resulting in self-realisation and becoming a positive person. Mind matters, and by being present, he turned his life around. He felt bitter against the authorities when he was first jailed. But this changed after he changed his mindset in planning and promoting the Reformasi (Reformation) movement. He turned his hatred towards the authorities, started the reconciliation work within himself and thought of the nation at large. Open-mindedly, he gradually realised that Malaysians of different races were all the same and worked on the brotherhood of man. Through extensive reading, Anwar learned that understanding each other's differences could create a more harmonious society.
The 168-page deep dives into Anwar's life from a village boy to Prime Minister. Insights into his climbing the leadership ladder, the trials (court) and tribulations. The PM FOR ALL book is available at major bookstores, MPH, Popular, Kinokuniya, Grand City and Lotus Family Restaurant restaurants, priced at RM28.
Freelance Writer M.Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. M. Krishnamoorthy is a media coach, associate professor, and journalist who worked and freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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