Fresh breeze blows

The good faith of Asian leaders who affirm the universal nature of human rights must be tested against the policies and actions of their governments towards their people. So, too, must speeches contradicting the notion that Asian values justify sacrificing individual liberties for the greater good of society.

Malaysia previously has strongly supported the notion that human rights, though universal, should not be promoted in Asia by the imposition of incompatible (that is, "Western") values. And Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has taken a lead in developing the concept of Asian values to deflect Western criticisms of human rights abuses in the region.

Malaysia, despite its democratic credentials, has championed the rights of such illiberal regimes as China to develop their own human rights rules. Nevertheless, the speech to the Asian Press Forum in Hong Kong yesterday by Dr. Mahathir's deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, offers hope that new, more liberal ideas may be taking root in Kuala Lumpur.

-- South China Morning Post, Hong Kong