Damage to Malaysia

Until a few weeks ago, Anwar Ibrahim was deputy prime minister, finance minister and Mahathir bin Mohamad's chosen successor. He seemed to be Malaysia's best hope for a more democratic future. Then, abruptly, he was arrested, and last week he appeared in court, charged mainly with sexual improprieties.

The more likely cause of his abrupt fall from favor was his outspoken campaign against the nationalist and restrictive economic policies that Mr. Mahathir has been promoting. Mr. Anwar, a supporter of open international markets, rightly linked the controls on capital and currency movements that Mr. Mahathir imposed to increased opportunities for corruption and a further erosion of individual freedoms.

Mr. Mahathir endangers Malaysia politically and economically. Temporary capital and currency controls might make sense if they were coupled with serious reforms, including measures to stabilize the exchange rate and shield the banking sector from political pressures. But he has never shown much interest in such reforms.

Mr. Anwar's arrest has sparked rallies and protests in favor of reform and an end to Mr. Mahathir's 17 years in power. Police have arrested several of Mr. Anwar's supporters. He appeared in court with a bruised arm and black eye and said he had been beaten nearly unconscious in custody. Mr. Mahathir has suggested that his former deputy's wounds were self-inflicted. An independent doctor who examined Mr. Anwar disputes this.

Several Asian leaders, normally silent on the human rights questions of their neighbors, have publicly criticized Mr. Anwar's beating. When President Bill Clinton goes to Malaysia next month for a regional economic meeting, he should ask publicly for the freedom of Mr. Anwar and other detainees.

-- The New York Times