Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's Prime Minister, in New York on Sept. 21.
n mid-September, TIME interviewed Malaysian Prime Minister and democracy icon Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur. After a political struggle spanning a quarter of a century defying incarceration and repression, Anwar finally took power following a highly divisive election last November.
“Outsiders” is codeword for the Chinese and Indians, who are mainly Buddhist and Hindu. Race, intertwined with religion, goes to the heart of Malaysian politics. The majority Malays are Muslim by law and enjoy quotas in everything from university seats and jobs to business loans and housing under a decades-old affirmative action program. Malay-Islamist supremacists have been fanning their fears of losing these privileges.
The interview took place just a day after Anwar returned from China—his second visit to the country since assuming power last November. He was to fly out later that night to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. Malaysia’s relations with China and the U.S. naturally came up, especially its stance as the two major powers drift apart.
Anwar also said Chinese intentions of honest engagement are visible on the ground—or rather, in the water. “Thus far, when things are raised, or a polite note of concern is expressed, they do not necessarily withdraw but at least give some deference or consideration. Which means they do not, for example, aggressively enter our waters,” he said. “When we identify cases of them entering our waters, and give a note of protest, then they have steered away on a number of occasions.”“The U.S.
A supporter of Anwar Ibrahim wears a T-shirt bearing"We Will Never Surrender" while others chant"Reformasi" and"Allahu Akbar" during the launching of the People's Justice Party in Kuala Lumpur on Apr. 4, 1999.4. Anwar thinks economic development and education are key to combating rising Malay-Islamist supremacy
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Explosive' Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare is Yaya Toure 2.0Latest Nottingham Forest news as Morgan Gibbs-White compares Reds teammate to Man City legend
Read more »
Britain's best takeaways in the UK & Ireland revealed – has your local made the list?Uber Eats has revealed the best takeaways in the UK and Ireland in The Restaurant of the Year 2023 awards - has your local 'taken-away' a top spot?
Read more »
Kings-Raptors 5 takeaways: Keegan Murray’s evolution, emphasis on physicality and moreThere was plenty to take away from the Kings' opening preseason loss to the Raptors in Vancouver. Let's get into it.
Read more »
Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-finals and kick-off times confirmedEngland have found out their opponents in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup in France
Read more »
Man City fans stuck in 50 MINUTE queue in car park after sell out women's gameThe club has since apologised and said they were 'disappointed' by the 'extended wait times'
Read more »