Anwar Primed for Political Comeback

Malaysia’s most charismatic political figure, Anwar Ibrahim, has confirmed he will re-enter politics as soon as he is eligible.

That may not be soon enough to stand in the next general election, which is due in 2009 but could be held early next year to avoid the “Anwar factor”.

“He is more charismatic than any other political figure,” said Lim Kit Siang, the head of Malaysia’s opposition Democratic Action Party. “If there was a level playing field, it would be a very serious challenge.”

Diplomats in Kuala Lumpur privately agree there is still a groundswell of support for the former deputy prime minister, despite a six-year campaign to discredit him through the state-controlled media.

But the likelihood of success is small. Mr Ibrahim’s problems started when he fell out with then PM Mahathir Mohamad over economic policy ahead of the 1997 financial crash.

He was thrown out of the party, UMNO, and in 1998 was convicted on charges of sodomy and corruption. He served six years in prison before a court overturned the sodomy conviction. The corruption conviction was not overturned and there is a five-year ban before he can re-enter politics.

Since his release in 2004, Mr Anwar has lectured at British and American universities. But speaking in Bangkok, he made it clear he is returning to Malaysia full-time to work in politics.

He is, however, realistic about his prospects, saying: “I don’t know if we will make it next year or this year, but I am confident ultimately we will.”


Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim