Malaysia Matters Podcast

Anwar Ibrahim has shown himself again to be more radical than freedom-loving individuals should be comfortable with him being. For instance, he railed against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s Islam Hadhari project, saying, ”There is only one Islam,” and that Islam Hadhari implies that there is a “bad Islam.” The conclusion is that Islam Hadhari should be scrapped.

While there may be one true faith, there are any varieties of expressions of Islam, many of which are highly intolerant. Islam Hadhari, though admittedly flawed in practice, at least has been an attempt to moderate those who would otherwise trample the rights of others. An honest discussion of the issue would recognize this.

What blueprint for acceptance of minority rights and civil society does Anwar propose?

It is easy to tear down what others have had the imagination to build, but doing so is not in itself the hallmark of a leader.

A leader through example inspires others on to achieve greatness.

But what inspiration to achieve greatness does Anwar give the people of Malaysia?

Truly, what does his example inspire?