Word: anwar
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While Malaysia thrived, few complained about Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's authoritarian inclinations. But the Asian economic downturn has thrown his tactics into new focus. He has come under heavy criticism for his treatment of Anwar Ibrahim, his reformist former deputy, who now sits in Sungai Buloh prison accused of sexual improprieties and corruption, charges Anwar and others in the opposition say are trumped up. President Clinton, who visits Malaysia next week, will avoid meeting Mahathir, partly in response to Anwar's detention. This interview, in which Anwar, pictured at right, responded to written questions, was smuggled out to TIME...
...Anwar: I am in prison not because of being convicted of any crime but simply because I'm denied bail, which is most unique and unprecedented in Malaysian legal history. I'm extremely fine, as [good as one] can possibly be in prison--busy with prayers, devouring books, strategizing reformasi [the reform movement], avoiding the indolence of prison life...
...Anwar: Solitary confinement needs no description. They did not issue any threats. Initially the interrogators were adamant in wanting me to enlighten them on reformasi. I challenged them to write down my statement. I proceeded to mention the billions amassed by [Malaysian officials]. They realized that they had stirred the hornet's nest and changed the proceedings into friendly conversations...
...Anwar: Shortly after being brought to the police cell, blindfolded and handcuffed, I was severely beaten on the head, neck and face, rendering me somewhat unconscious till morning. I gathered information later from police officers that the direct involvement of the police top brass cannot be excluded. Dr. Mahathir was monitoring developments by the minute...
There has been plenty said about the present political crisis afflicting Malaysia. With Mahathir publicly claiming that Anwar is guilty of sexual misconduct and abuse of power, how many Malaysian judges will dare contradict him? Mahathir and his cronies have been in power far too long and have delusions of grandeur. They feel they are beyond criticism. They cannot allow Anwar, the only credible and fairly clean leader to emerge in recent times, to come to power because the stakes are too high. But the Mahathir regime is illiterate. It is unable to read the handwriting on the wall...