An Indonesian lesson for Malaysia<\/p>\n
When Amien Rais was forced to resign as chairman of the
\ncouncil of experts in the Association of Indonesian Moslem
\nIntellectuals (ICMI), Anwar Ibrahim, who at the time was
\nMalaysia's deputy prime minister, sent him a telephone message of
\nsympathy.<\/p>\n
Therefore it is not just coincidence that since Anwar Ibrahim
\nwas discharged by Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad after an
\nunsuccessful attempt to induce him to resign, the key word that
\nhas emerged in the political drama that is now unfolding in
\nMalaysia is reform.<\/p>\n
Like Amien Rais, Anwar Ibrahim has many supporters. The
\ndifference is that Anwar Ibrahim's supporters are consolidated in
\npositions in Malaysia's main political organization, the UMNO.
\nThey consist mostly of members of the organization's militant
\nyouth wing and are well educated and fanatically loyal to Anwar.
\nThe similarity between the groups of reform-minded Moslem
\nactivists in Malaysia and Indonesia is that both regard their
\nleaders as symbols and rallying points for their struggles.<\/p>\n
What can we learn from the current crisis in Malaysia?<\/p>\n
Why has Mahathir -- who in the early days of his political
\ncareer championed the weak and fought against the vested
\ninterests of the older generation politicians of the time -- in
\nhis later years turned into a conservative leader engrossed in
\nprotecting his interests and his power?<\/p>\n
The examples provided by Indonesia's contemporary history may
\nserve as a valuable lesson to Malaysian patriots. Don't let an
\nordinary mortal, however great his or her capabilities, stay in
\npower for too long.<\/p>\n
-- Republika, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/an-indonesian-lesson-for-malaysia-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }