Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar Ibrahim is a famous Malaysian politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998 and as Minister of Finance from 1991 to 1998. Since 1998, he has led the Malaysian Justice Party to strengthen democracy and the rule of law throughout the country. Despite spending more than eight years in political detention over the past two decades, his party achieved a historic election victory in the May 2018 Malaysian elections, shattering the 61 year rule of the ruling party. He was released within a few days after the election and received a complete pardon from political motives and fabricated accusations. The new government has stated that Anwar is a candidate for prime minister and is expected to take over the position of prime minister in the country within the next two years. Anwar is highly regarded for his principled stance on anti-corruption and his skilled management of the Malaysian economy during the Asian financial crisis. He called for political system reform in Malaysia to maintain competitiveness in the 21st century. He believes that an independent judicial system, free media, and respect for the rule of law are the cornerstone of Malaysia's economic expansion. He further believes that public policies should not overlook the difficulties of poverty and marginalization, while seeking to develop infrastructure, attract foreign investment, and develop the economy. The multi-ethnic justice party he leads provides a template for Malaysia to enable different racial and religious groups to work together to achieve common national goals. Throughout his career, Anwar provided a powerful argument to support a greater understanding between the East and the West. When many people describe the inevitable clash of civilizations, Anwar's view is that dialogue among civilizations is necessary and crucial. In the Muslim world, he has a unique ability to convey the complex problems faced by most Muslim countries. Throughout his career, Anwar has held important positions in international institutions, including the President of the World Council of UNESCO, the Chairman of the Development Committee of the World Bank, the Chairman of the International Monetary Fund, and the Honorary Chairman of the Advisory Committee of International Crisis Organizations. He is an outstanding visiting professor and Chairman of Malaysia at the Georgetown Muslim Christian Understanding Center. He also taught at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and St. Anthony's College in Oxford, teaching governance, democracy, and contemporary political issues in Southeast Asia.