The Malaysian Insight

JAILED opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim’s role in uniting Malaysians was the subject of a symposium held in Penang today.

Would Anwar be able to unite Malaysians of different races and religions, which Barisan Nasional clearly has failed to do? Will he able to lead Malaysia one day? How does he see Malaysia and the world?

These were the questions the three panellists tried to tackle at the “Pemikiran Anwar symposium” at the Penang Institute.

But all three agreed on one thing – Malaysia needs him as a thinker and leader to take the country to greater heights.

National laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Salleh said Anwar is a leader who feels as well as thinks.

“A leader who leads with heart and mind… We are attracted to rank and money with little thought for humanity. Malaysia and the world are corrupt because we have neglected humanity,” he said.

Will Anwar be able to unite Malaysians and usher in the concept of equality for all? Muhammad believes so.

“He was a nobody. He comes from the grassroots. He can bring change and he has been fighting for that. He has the heart and the brain.”

Muhammad said Anwar is not perfect but the imperfection and weaknesses allow him to try new things.

“He is human. He wanted to experiment and that revealed his vulnerabilities,” Muhammad said.

Dr Wong Chin Huat said Anwar is needed to answer a big conundrum that has not been solved since 1946 –  the state of the nation and equality and rights for its citizens.

“Anwar is a thinker. We need him to answer this big question. All this talk will be for nothing if he can’t solve this,” Wong said.

The symposium was held in conjunction with the launching of a book on Anwar titled “Anwar Ibrahim Penampilan Demokrat” by Charles Allers.

The book was launched by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng. – July 29, 2017.