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Anifah slams WSJ for taking sides in M’sian politics

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman has accused The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) of taking sides in Malaysian politics, after the business paper published a commentary by jailed PKR de facto chief Anwar Ibrahim on its website.

Malaysian foreign minister Anifah Aman. Photo: The Malay Mail Online

Malaysian foreign minister Anifah Aman. Photo: The Malay Mail Online

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Foreign Minister has accused The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) of taking sides in Malaysian politics, after the business paper published a commentary by former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on its website.

In an open letter to WSJ today (July 26), Mr Anifah Aman criticised the American business daily for giving Anwar the “platform to raise false and politically motivated allegations” against Prime Minister Najib Razak and the government. “It is a pity that the WSJ has fallen for desperate, unfounded allegations by a politician and presented them as facts — thereby taking sides in internal Malaysian politics,” Mr Anifah said.

He said that WSJ deliberately failed to mention the less savoury aspect of Anwar’s history, such as his corruption conviction in 1999 and his “documented history of rabble-rousing and extremism, as well as spouting of anti-Semitic remarks”.

He added that the points raised by Anwar in the commentary published on WSJ’s website were off the mark and misleading. “The Wall Street Journal takes aim at Malaysia, but once again displays a woeful lack of knowledge and understanding of our country and its history,” Mr Anifah said.

In a commentary last Friday titled “Malaysia’s Growing Opposition Can’t Be Silenced”, Anwar had explained why he had chosen to serve out his current five-year prison sentence for a second sodomy conviction, rather than seek refuge abroad. He said the country was ready for change, and that young Malaysians were committed to building an inclusive, democratic and economically vibrant country.

Among other issues, Anwar took aim at the county’s electoral system, corruption and what he described as racial and religious extremism. He also warned of Malaysia ending up as a failed state after decades of economic mismanagement.

Mr Anifah said Mr Najib’s introduction of the 1Malaysia policy disproves Anwar’s claim that the Prime Minister was “sowing communal and religious animosity”. 

“This is the greatest attempt in Malaysia’s history to forge a national identity that includes all races and religions, and the Prime Minister regularly attends the festivals of non-Muslims, going to churches and temples to share the celebrations of fellow Malaysians,” said Mr Anifah.

He added that Anwar’s warning that Malaysia may evolve into a failed state would be “laughable”, if it were not for the fact that some took the former opposition leader seriously.

Mr Anifah cited various reports on Malaysia’s achievment and potential, noting for instance, a recent upgrade in the country’s outlook by ratings agency Fitch. “This is the truth about Malaysia today,” Mr Anifah said.

WSJ is also in the spotlight following a July 3 report alleging that about US$700 million had been funnelled from the troubled state investment vehicle 1MDB into Mr Najib’s personal accounts. Mr Najib has denied taking funds from 1MDB for “personal gain” and said the WSJ’s allegations were part of political sabotage by his opponents, working with foreign agents to unseat him. AGENCIES

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