Politics

Anwar: Malaysia will 'go to the dogs' if changes not made

KUALA LUMPUR: Parties in the unity government agree that the country will go to the dogs if measures are not taken to ensure good governance and elimination of graft, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Anwar, in an interview with international news organisation Al Jazeera on Thursday, was asked if his collaboration with Barisan Nasional and other parties that formed the unity government had made him compromise his policy pledges during the 15th General Election last November.

"There are diverse political parties, yes. But what is essential is that all of them agree that this country will go to the dogs if you do not take measures to change now.

"Do they agree the central problem is the issue of good governance? Yes. Do they agree that corruption has been endemic in this country? Yes. And then of course, we adjust policies," he said.

Anwar reiterated his commitment to reform the country's affirmative action policies to ensure equality.

"Unless there is a clear political commitment, a resolve to change, I don't believe Malaysia will survive," he said.

Anwar in the interview also affirmed that his government would not be toppled by the opposition before the next election citing the two-thirds majority his coalition had.

"They (the opposition) can put some pressure, but it will not affect the position of the government," he said.

Anwar, also recounted his 1998 beating by the then Inspector-general of police Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Noor which had left him with a black eye and was adapted for use as the symbol of Parti Keadilan Nasional, today's Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

"That night I was badly assaulted. I was thinking of my parents, Azizah, and the family. And I thought because of the severity of the attack, I thought I would not survive.

The documentary also delved into the impact of Anwar's tumultuous journey to the top on his family and the personal toll it has taken, especially during his two prison terms.

Most Popular
Related Article
Says Stories