Anwar Confident of Opposition Coalition

By Shibani Mahtani - The Wall Street Journal

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim insists that Malaysia’s opposition has a “cohesive program and agenda” that will keep the coalition together even when he is retired from politics.

“It is no longer just about personality politics,” Mr. Anwar said in a phone interview from Kuala Lumpur. “Even without me, party lines are broad. There is a consensus among the party lines and civil society.”

Malaysian leaders and analysts have spent the past week debating the future of Mr. Anwar’s political career, after the veteran politician said in an interview with the Financial Times newspaper that he would focus on academia should his opposition coalition fail to win at the next general election. Members of the ruling Barisan National coalition have insisted that Mr. Anwar is merely posturing to win sympathy votes, while his supporters say it is a reminder of how high stakes are at the poll box.

Last week’s comments were the first time Mr. Anwar has explicitly stated he intends to retire after the next election, though many analysts have widely predicted that his age – 65 – would prevent him from contesting the country’s top post again. The months following Mr. Anwar’s acquittal in January has seen bitter political debate in Malaysia over issues like homosexual rights, the country’s relationship with Israel and the opposition’s conduct during the Bersih rally in April – what analysts say is a sign of the fierce battle for the country’s top leadership spot that is unlike previous election campaigns.

“We have endured [imprisonment, harassment] and at my age, I’ve done my level best for the next elections,” said Mr. Anwar. “I am confident that we will make it this time, but in the event that we do fail it is time for me to pursue the academic line.”

Since his acquittal on sodomy charges in January, political analysts have maintained that Malaysia’s next general election – which must be called by early next year – will be the most competitive the Southeast Asian nation has seen. And they have said early on that this would be Mr. Anwar’s last chance at becoming prime minister.

The opposition leader, who has been widely credited as a charismatic, skilled orator who is able to bring competing factions together, says he isn’t worried about finding a successor – though he declined to name who it will be.

“I am glad people focus on me, but the program and agenda went on even when I was in solitary confinement,” he said. “There is a team of successful leaders from academics, professionals and social activists who… are capable leaders.”

Others within Mr. Anwar’s Pakatan Rakyat opposition coalition though believe that the opposition leader is best placed to hold the coalition of varied interests together – made up of the Islamist Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, the Democratic Action Party and his own Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

“I feel that either way,” even without a win at the next election, “he should stay on course,” said Rafizi Ramli, strategy director for Mr. Anwar’s PKR.

“The reform agenda is a lot bigger than who is prime minister… [but] the best person to be at the helm of Paktan Rakyat, to lead us to get rid of the ruling BN, is still Anwar Ibrahim at least for this term and the next.”

Despite his acquittal from a second string of sodomy charges, Mr. Anwar may still face an uphill legal task in the months between now and Malaysia’s next general election – which he predicts will be after the months of Ramadan and the Hajj pilgrimage period, at the end of the year or in early 2013. He faces charges of violating a court order at the Bersih rally in April, an allegation he denies. Malaysia’s Attorney-General’s Chambers have also appealed against his acquittal in January.

The opposition leader said he is not worried by the appeal or the fresh charges, and “expects sanity to prevail.”

Celine Fernandez contributed to this article