M. Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, associate professor and an author
PAS’s rise foregrounds a resurgence of Malay-Islamist rhetoric that polarises Malaysia’s multiracial society, wrote TIME correspondent Debasish Roy Chowdhury.
“Even a non-Islamist secular leader like Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s longest-serving Prime Minister, who is increasingly seen on PAS platforms, now says multiracial Malaysia would be unconstitutional and charges Anwar for trying to give this country away to outsiders.
“Outsiders”, the journalist explained, is a codeword for the Chinese and Indians, mainly Buddhist and Hindu. Race, intertwined with religion, goes to the heart of Malaysian politics. “Most Malays are Muslim by law and enjoy quotas from university seats and jobs to business loans and housing under a decades-old affirmative action program. Malay-Islamist supremacists have been fanning their fears of losing these privileges.”
The article headlined Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim Is on a Mission to Save Malaysia’s Democracy was published on 11th October 2023 in TIME magazine.
TIME interviewed Anwar at the Parliament, just before Anwar addressed lawmakers in what turned out to be a stormy session. The Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) staged a walkout after a heated exchange of words over allegations of judicial interference to help a graft-tainted ally. The tussle offered a peek into one of Anwar’s pressing difficulties.
Ms Chowdhury discussed the resurgence of identity politics and more—from Malaysia’s place in great-power competition between the U.S. and China to boosting Malaysian democracy.
Here are her 5 takeaways from the interview, as she reported.
1. Anwar has a plan to restore democracy in Malaysia
Anwar once called Malaysia “the most tragic case” of democratic backsliding in Southeast Asia after being denied the opportunity to govern despite winning a historic election in 2018 that unseated a government led by the Malay nationalist UMNO party for the first time since independence in 1957. For him, the way to counter this regression is through a strong commitment to institutional reforms. When asked how he is restoring democracy in Malaysia, he emphasised rebuilding accountability. “Because democracy can be a farce, too. It can be a [instrument] for the rich and the powerful to manipulate. We are mindful and aware of that. Therefore, mass education to make people more aware is a major challenge. Otherwise, democracy can be reduced to establishing control of the ruling elite,” he said.
2. China shows deference and steers away from disputed waters when Malaysia’s navy raises notes of concern or protest
The interview occurred just a day after Anwar returned from China—his second visit to the country since assuming power last November. He was to fly out later that night to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. Malaysia’s relations with China and the U.S. naturally came up, especially its stance as the two major powers drifted apart.
3. Huawei is proof that the U.S. can’t intimidate Malaysia
“The U.S. is a longtime ally and friend, and we continue to engage with them. But we cannot be intimidated in any way. A good example is our decision on 5G,” Anwar said.
“The previous administration, my predecessor, decided to have just one network system, [from Swedish firm] Ericsson. My position was to continue it because it is an important technology. But why shouldn’t we utilise the best of both worlds? So, he added that we also chose [Chinese tech giant] Huawei to also participate," he added. Soon after Anwar took power, he clarified that he did not think the Ericsson deal was transparently agreed upon. His government began a review of the 11-billion-ringgit ($2.5 billion) tender with Ericsson to build a state-owned 5G network. The review prompted U.S. and E.U. envoys to Malaysia to warn the government about security risks and foreign investment risks if it allowed Huawei. These warnings didn’t work. In May, Anwar’s government formally announced that the country would adopt a dual network model for its 5G rollout next year, rather than rely solely on Ericsson. “Of course, this displeased some people. But I can’t help it. My commitment and loyalty are to the people of Malaysia,” he told TIME.
4. Anwar thinks economic development and education are key to combating rising Malay-Islamist supremacy
When asked what his top priorities were for combating PAS’s rise, Anwar cited economic development first. “A more just, equitable system so that no community or part of the country is seen to be ignored or marginalised,” he said.
His slogan of “Malaysia Madani,” or “Civil Malaysia,” sums up his goals. The budget for this year focuses on low-income groups, including nearly $2 billion in cash handouts to the poorest 60% of the population. He is spurring investments with policy incentives to generate the cash for such welfare measures, including an ambitious $5.3 billion fund for renewable energy and green technology. He recently launched an investment coup by persuading Elon Musk to establish Tesla’s regional headquarters in Malaysia.
5. Anwar is open to PAS joining his unity government
PAS had been a long-time supporter of Anwar since his reformasi days and had allied with him politically in earlier elections. Co-opting PAS in his “unity government” would neutralise the rising Islamist rhetoric in the country, and there has been speculation about the possibility. The only hurdle to reconciliation is a personality clash between him and PAS’s current leader, Abdul Hadi Awang, dating back to their student activism days when both were youth Islamist activists.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor and undercover journalist. He has 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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