Mahathir's Chances (1999): Examining Anwar Ibrahim's appeal to quash his 6-year jail-sentence for sodomy and corruption.

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Echoing events in Indonesia, Malaysia has been rocked by violent street protests by a people demanding sweeping changes, fast. Making sense of the last seven months in Malaysia isn’t easy. It was known as a passive place with relative peace amongst it’s ethnic groups. A democracy laced with authoritarianism, that Malaysians might not have liked but most accepted. But since Mahathir’s ruling UMNO party pressed salacious charges of corruption and sodomy against the former deputy PM, Anwar Ibrahim, things have changed. The country is split by support for Anwar’s ‘Reformasi’ movement with it’s manifesto of open democracy, and between Mahathir’s stability. Now led by Anwar’s wife, Azizah, support for the reform movement has been boosted by the sense of an injustice done to Anwar. UMNO has hit back by blaming the Reform movement for the mobs that have perpetrated the worst street violence – a persuasive argument especially for the Indian and Chinese populations scared by the predominantly Malay protests. Azizah characterises the fight as a classic ‘David and Goliath’ battle and is confident she’ll win thorough. But if Anwar loses his appeal and if Azizah doesn’t win enough seats in the April 2000 elections what then for Reformasi?

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ABC Australia - Ref 0582