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earning from Indonesia’s reform would enable an inclusive and democratic Malaysian government following the end of Barisan Nasional rule, Malaysian reformist Anwar Ibrahim has said.

The founder and leader of the People’s Justice Party (PKR) visited his old friend and former Indonesian president BJ Habibie on Sunday upon the latter’s invitation.

Anwar was granted a full pardon last week that gave him full access to return to politics by Malaysian King Sultan Muhammad V following a request by newly inaugurated Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Anwar and Mahathir’s coalition, Pakatan Harapan, won a shocking victory in the May 9 general election by defeating Barisan, which has ruled Malaysia since its independence.

After the personal meeting, Anwar said through the talks, he aimed to see to what extent Indonesia had reformed as a democratic country.

“Indonesia’s experience in transforming its system has taught its people to proceed to democracy,” said Anwar in a joint press statement. “We do not deem all [policies] right and successful but the beginning of the reform was a success.”

He further said that although Indonesia still faced corruption, poverty and social-gaps, it had managed to reform its governmental system and institutions after the fall of president Soeharto in 1998.

During the New Order regime, Indonesia’s government was centralized without proper checks and balances. The House of Representatives acted as a mere rubber stamp.

Malaysia’s current institutions, Anwar said, were not rubber stamps like Indonesia’s government during the New Order.

“However, there should be a massive overhaul,” he said, adding that Mahathir had instructed his officials to fill the office with authoritative and credible people in his first week in office.

Mahathir has said he will prioritize economic stabilization.

“The economy is indeed important for growth but we should ensure wealth for all,” said Anwar, adding that he believed in the world’s oldest prime minister as he had fulfilled his pledges made in previous election
campaigns.

Anwar then said Malaysia should establish a special team to take account of and review Indonesia’s attempts, challenges and opportunities in carrying out reform from Habibie’s tenure up to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“We should review the strengths and weaknesses,” he said. “Thus, we shall not follow the mistakes but learn from the successes.”

Meanwhile, Habibie said Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as other Southeast Asian countries that had Malay cultures, should learn from each other.

Regarding reform, both Indonesia and Malaysia should empower and make use of their human resources as they were the key for a better nation, he added.

“However, these human resources should have competitiveness and to enable that, there should be a process of cultivating [good] behaviors,” said Habibie.

He also said educational equity was also important to reach “high civilization”, where the people could synergize cultures, religions and science.

Before leaving Habibie’s residence, Anwar told reporters Malaysia may hold a by-election in the next few months, in which he may contest to become a member of parliament, paving his way to replace Mahathir as the next prime minister.

Mahathir has made it known that he will only stay in office for about two years before handing the position over to Anwar.

When asked about his plan to participate in the by-election, Anwar said he was “not in a hurry”.

“I want to spend time with my family, particularly my grandchildren. I want to fulfill my promises to visit some countries, and Harvard and Stanford universities,” he said. “After that, I will decide whether I will compete [in the by-election].”

Later in the evening, Anwar also visited Vice President Jusuf Kalla to discuss the political situation in Malaysia, kompas.com reported.

Anwar also asked Kalla about the recent Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit, which Kalla attended in Turkey.