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PM Anwar’s second home
He is making his Indonesian trip as a winner, having gone through over two decades of political persecution at home.
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Trust building: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (center) leaves the lower house of parliament after receiving a vote of confidence in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 19. (AFP/Pool/Hasnoor Hussain )
T
he two-day state visit to Jakarta this week carries a special meaning for Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim not only because Indonesia is the first overseas outing since assuming power in November last year, but also due to the many unforgettable memories he has left here, especially during his 24-year fight to restore his reputation his former mentor and political allies had ruined.
When Anwar had to endure lengthy imprisonment for corruption and sodomy charges, many Indonesian friends, including former president BJ Habibie, senior politicians and activists, poured their constant support and consolation. They believed justice would eventually be served in his case.
Anwar’s trip to Jakarta this time around is different from his frequent Indonesian visits in the past in many ways. He is making his Indonesian trip as a winner, having gone through over two decades of political persecution at home.
Indonesia looks like the second and most comfortable home for Anwar because of the sympathy and sustenance he found aplenty at a time he needed them the most. His wife Wan Azizah and eldest daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar also have many Indonesian friends and sympathizers, who admire their strong determination in defending their husband and father.
During the nightmarish episode of his life, Anwar had to serve three prison sentences for sodomy and corruption. Until today many in Indonesia cannot understand why then Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad was so eager to jail and humiliate his former prodigy and “crown prince”.
Mahathir sacked Anwar as a deputy prime minister in September 1998 for corruption allegations, four months after the Indonesian people forced Soeharto to end his 32-year dictatorship. At that time, Mahathir quipped Indonesia’s determination for reforms. In 1999, Anwar was found guilty of sodomy. Several years later Anwar served another prison term for another sodomy case.
A power struggle reconciled Anwar and Mahathir in 2018. They worked together to win the election, but once again Mahathir betrayed Anwar. As part of the coalition deal, Mahathir promised to hand over the PM post to Anwar but never realized it until his government collapsed in 2020.
Anwar became the 10th prime minister of Malaysia after leading the Pakatan Harapan coalition to the highest number of parliamentary seats in the Malaysian general election last year, although not enough to form a government. He then brought in other parties, including his former party the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
Anwar and his entourage arrived in Jakarta on Sunday. The Malaysian prime minister is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Bogor Presidential Palace today.
According to a press release from Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, the two leaders will discuss various bilateral and regional affairs, such as the interest of Malaysia to invest in Indonesia’s new capital Nusantara, land demarcation and maritime border delimitation problems between the countries and Indonesian migrant workers.
The two ASEAN leaders will also discuss ways to deal with the European Union’s threats to ban imports of palm oil from the two countries, the world’s largest producer of the commodity.
On the regional issue, Jokowi and Anwar will focus on Myanmar’s conundrum. Hopes abound the two leaders will share a stance on the Myanmar’s military junta leader, who has refused to implement the five-point consensus he and ASEAN leaders signed in April 2021.
Welcome back home, Prime Minister Anwar.
