From Manila Buletin
By Chito A. Chavez
Malaysian opposition leader and former deputy minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim expressed belief Friday that a “vibrant democracy needs a vibrant opposition’’, and cited Filipino national hero Jose Rizal’s struggle against colonial rulers.
Addressing hundreds of participants in his Asian Renaissance grand lecture at the Malcolm Hall of the University of the Philippines, Ibrahim mentioned Rizal as one of the founding fathers of Asian Renaissance, noting the Filipino hero’s fight against abuses of Spanish leaders during his time.
To gain the freedom of righteous democracy, Ibrahim said present-day leaders, including the youth and students, in the Asian region should emulate Rizal to reap the fruits of what he started.
He said corruption, which is evident not only in the Philippines but also in other Asian countries, is not endemic to Asian culture. He expressed optimism that it can be stopped.
Ibrahim said that in the 1960s, Hong Kong has one of the most corrupt police forces in Asia but after 10 years, its law enforcement force became the most efficient in the region.
He attributed the turnaround of the Hong Kong police to legitimate and incorruptible leadership and professional personnel who believe in the true sense of democracy.
Ibrahim said the people in the Philippines enjoy more democratic privileges than the citizens of Malaysia, citing that Filipinos can voice their displeasure towards government officials or polices more freely.
As acting prime minister in 1991, Ibrahim introduced controversial but efficient anti-corrupt legislation in Malaysia with emphasis on social justice, poverty eradication, education and civil society.
His incorruptible ways and policies that went against Malaysia’s ruling party earned him the ire of his government’s leaders. He was incarcerated on trumped up charges, including sex-related offenses, before a biased court.
In the Philippines, Ibrahim said that men and women power are key essentials in assuring that the voice of the people are heard in the coming 2010 local polls.
He said the task of having a clean and honest election maybe tough and challenging but it remains attainable, with the people able to voice out their opinions, dissentions and objections to irregularities
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