An Indonesian lesson for Malaysia

When Amien Rais was forced to resign as chairman of the council of experts in the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), Anwar Ibrahim, who at the time was Malaysia's deputy prime minister, sent him a telephone message of sympathy.

Therefore it is not just coincidence that since Anwar Ibrahim was discharged by Prime Minister Mahathir Muhammad after an unsuccessful attempt to induce him to resign, the key word that has emerged in the political drama that is now unfolding in Malaysia is reform.

Like Amien Rais, Anwar Ibrahim has many supporters. The difference is that Anwar Ibrahim's supporters are consolidated in positions in Malaysia's main political organization, the UMNO. They consist mostly of members of the organization's militant youth wing and are well educated and fanatically loyal to Anwar. The similarity between the groups of reform-minded Moslem activists in Malaysia and Indonesia is that both regard their leaders as symbols and rallying points for their struggles.

What can we learn from the current crisis in Malaysia?

Why has Mahathir -- who in the early days of his political career championed the weak and fought against the vested interests of the older generation politicians of the time -- in his later years turned into a conservative leader engrossed in protecting his interests and his power?

The examples provided by Indonesia's contemporary history may serve as a valuable lesson to Malaysian patriots. Don't let an ordinary mortal, however great his or her capabilities, stay in power for too long.

-- Republika, Jakarta