GE15: Anwar most capable PM candidate

SHAH ALAM - Independent think tank Emir Research believes that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is the most capable Prime Minister (PM) candidate to lead the country after the 15th General Election (GE15).

Emir Research president and chief executive officer Datuk Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff said the opposition leader would be the best person to solve the problems which had plagued the country.

He said the problem involved the deterioration of socioeconomic status, the widening of the inequality gap between ethnic groups and the 'brain drain' phenomenon.

"Based on the facts and merits between the available options, we have a clear choice for the leadership of Malaysia after GE15.

"Indeed, Anwar is the most intellectual and scientific PM candidate compared to the others," he said in a statement on Friday.

Rais explained that the position of PM should be held by highly qualified people because the position was a demanding and challenging task.

He stressed the group of 70 scientists and former academics known as G70 described the characteristics of suitable candidates as being highly knowledgeable, educated and authoritative, skilled, honest, sincere, moral and practise a simple lifestyle without showing extreme luxury.

He said the Friday prayer sermon on Nov 18 prepared by the Perak Islamic Religious Department included the same message about the importance to choose the right candidate.

The right candidate would be the one who has self-respect, a good image, free from corruption, strong in spirit, an intellect and has the ability to bring prosperity to the country.

"Looking at the candidate criteria recommended by the G70 and as summarised well by the Perak Islamic Department, it is clear that Anwar has an advantage over other PM candidates.

"This is a view shared by the G70 group who found Anwar to be the only political figure with wisdom, experience and integrity who can lead a multi-cultural society while upholding the principles and teachings of Islam as the official religion of the federation thus rebuilding the image and the name of this country," he commented.

Rais said if anyone questioned Anwar's sincerity, it should be known that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman was once involved in the 1974 Baling Demonstration to fight poverty and ease the suffering of the people, which caused him to be imprisoned for almost two years.

"There is no denying that this historical fact shaped Anwar's political and social point of view that was observed in his career.

"Anwar has extensive experience as a minister, especially as deputy prime minister and as finance minister in the 1990s which has proven his worth in guiding Malaysia through a period of instability during the 1997 Asian financial crisis," he explained.

Rais added that Anwar's experience and services allowed him to receive international recognition and awards, such as being named 'Asian of the Year' by Newsweek International.

According to him, as reported by various sources, Anwar held the position of lecturer at St Anthony's College in Oxford, the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University and the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

"Among the PM candidates, who is most suitable to lead this multi-racial and multi-cultural country if not Anwar, who, as written by Georgetown University, is respected internationally as a leader in inter-religious dialogue and Christian-Muslim relations and is one of the early signatories to the 'Common Word' initiative.

"Among the PM candidates who is known for fighting for reform and justice for all if not Anwar as written by the speaker bureau 'Specialist Speakers', was once appointed as the Honorary President of the Account Ability group in London and also as the 'Foundation for the Future' chairman in Beirut," he said.

Rais claimed after suffering persecution, unfair dismissal and political prosecution for many years, Anwar could have backed down and retired, but he chose to continue fighting for the country.

"As the leader of the opposition for a long time, he has gained a broad view of the entire administration and political game because he has been on both sides," he added.