The Economist: Anwar no longer crucial
The Economist says that Azmin is the rising star who must prove himself first in Selangor.
Free Malaysia Today
In an editorial entitled “A Lousy Sequel”, The Economist gave a no holds barred account of the political situation in Malaysia in light of the soon to be concluded Sodomy II appeal of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
Seeing Anwar as “no longer quite as crucial to the opposition as he once was”, The Economist said that should he be imprisoned for sodomy, there were many bright, younger leaders within PKR who could step up to the plate.
The Economist’s personal choice was Azmin Ali, who it saw as the only promising leader at the moment, capable of going head to head against the “weak” Najib Razak and his “thuggish” Umno.
Saying Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah was “impressive” but lacked experience and Rafizi Ramli was too “tarnished” by the Selangor crisis (in which he orchestrated the Kajang Move), Azmin would nevertheless have to work hard at “healing the wounds” in Selangor before voters would take Pakatan Rakyat seriously again.
This view was in reference to what academician Bridget Welsh described as “childish infighting” over the post of menteri besar that dragged on for months and saw the involvement of the Sultan of Selangor.
The crisis also showed up Pakatan Rakyat as a “fractious alliance” whose coalition partner PAS was its “weakest link” after its leaders “torpedoed” a plan for Wan Azizah to be menteri besar.
The Economist also said that current prime minister Najib Razak was “weak” and a far cry from the “moderniser” his party made him out to be particularly when sodomy, which is not a crime in many countries, was now damaging Malaysia’s reputation abroad.
