A radical's rise<\/p>\n
Rumors have been rife for the last couple of years that
\nMalaysia's premier was preparing to announce his retirement in
\n1997 and hand over the reigns of power to his anointed successor
\nthe following year.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamed's decision to take a two-
\nmonth break this summer, leaving deputy Anwar Ibrahim in charge,
\nmakes that scenario now appear likely.<\/p>\n
This seems to be an opportunity for Mahathir to watch from the
\nsidelines and see how his protege runs the country before taking
\nthe ultimate step. In his 15-year tenure, the prime minister has
\nruled with a firm hand, while his country has enjoyed stability
\nand strong economic growth. His administration has not been
\nwithout controversy, but his popularity remains relatively
\nunaffected, and this may be a prelude to him stepping into the
\nwings on a more permanent basis.<\/p>\n
Although Ibrahim describes his relationship with the premier
\nas like father and son, they are markedly different in approach.
\nThe 49-year-old started his political career as a long-haired
\nstudent radical in the 1960s, leading protests over low prices in
\nthe rubber industry. The experience earned him 22 months in a
\ndetention camp, but that did not stop Mahathir from luring him in
\nto the United Malays National Organization, and it has certainly
\nnot dulled Ibrahim's liberal instincts. He has criticized his
\ncountry's harsh Internal Security Act, and poured scorn on the
\nnotion that "Asian values" mean muted democracy and rule by
\nauthoritarian excess. He believes dissent plays a valuable role
\nin a healthy and stable society. If he assumes power in the long
\nterm, Malaysia can look forward to some changes in its political
\nstructure.<\/p>\n
He established his credentials in 1991 when he was appointed
\nfinance minister, in spite of a perception in the business sector
\nthat he was a lightweight with little understanding of economics.
\nThere, too, he took a liberal line, equating economic development
\nwith human development. At the same time he embarked on a reform
\nprogram, establishing an Independent Securities Commission which
\ndid away with a lot of abuses and outside interference, and
\ngreatly improved the image of the country's capital market on the
\ninternational stage.<\/p>\n
A politician now respected by the business world, holding firm
\nto democratic ideals, and concerned about social welfare, the
\nenvironment and Malaysian culture, Ibrahim appears to have every
\nquality of an international statesman, but he is untried on the
\nwider political stage. This is his chance to prove that Malaysia
\nwill be in safe keeping if the premiership passes to his hands.<\/p>\n
-- South China Morning Post, Hong Kong<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-radicals-rise-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }