The Mahathir-Anwar Handshake: Patching Up To Shake Up? – Analysis
(INTELLIASIA) – On Monday 5 September 2016, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad did the unthinkable: He turned up at the High Court for Anwar Ibrahim’s filing of an interim injunction to stop the government from enforcing the newly-passed National Security Council Act. Mahathir shook hands with his former ally-turned nemesis and both exchanged pleasantries, as if they were friends again. He even wished Anwar well and prayed for the jailed opposition leader’s success. Indeed both chatted for a good 45 minutes in the witness room – a long time indeed for two bitter foes.
It was the first time both had come into contact since Mahathir, then prime minister, unceremoniously sacked Anwar on 2 September 1998 as his deputy and subsequently had him jailed for abuse of power and sodomy. Coming just three days after the 18th anniversary of that fateful event, the Mahathir-Anwar handshake was a ground-breaking ‘reunion’. Mahathir said he was there “not to talk about the past” but to show support for Anwar’s bid against the NSC, which he, like Anwar, saw as unconstitutional and feared would give prime minister Najib Razak too much power.
What’s Brewing?
This is, however, not the first time that Mahathir and Anwar have attempted to come together. Earlier in March, Mahathir launched his Citizens’ Declaration ‘rainbow movement’ to mobilise public support against Najib who is fighting for political survival arising from the 1MDB scandal.
There were moves at the time to get the divided political opposition to throw their support behind Mahathir who was emerging as Najib’s harshest critic. Anwar, freed in 2004 but now back in jail, initially intimated his endorsement. He later pulled back when Mahathir showed more interest in just toppling Najib than to bring about sweeping reforms to the political system, including the national leadership. Anwar’s change of heart raised doubts about his trust in Mahathir.
Anwar’s wife, Dr Wan Azisah who succeeded him as opposition leader, is still bitter with Mahathir for throwing her husband into jail 18 years ago on what she still regards as trumped-up charges. After the historic meeting in court this week, Wan Azisah, though still guarded, seemed more accepting. If so, it could be because of Mahathir’s gesture of apparent reconciliation. For a man of immense pride, Mahathir’s decision to turn up in court to support Anwar was doubtless a big gesture. It was magnanimity, eating humble pie and realpolitik all rolled in one.
The shrewd politician that he is, Mahathir must be fully aware that his presence at Anwar’s court hearing could be interpreted in many ways; one is whether or not this was a tacit apology to Anwar and his family. Wan Azisah said she would take things from here. Anwar, when besieged by the media, said “anybody who supports the reform agenda must be given a chance”.
