After many years I had the privilege to meet with DS Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of the Malaysian parliamentary opposition. It was an extraordinary gathering of many people and exceptional hospitality by DS Anwar and his wife Aziza. I was asked to share some words with the audience along with Sheikh Nuruddin Lemu. A beautiful evening indeed in Kuala Lumpur.
Dec
08
As salaam alaikum,
Liked your entry on the dilemma of being uprooted from SA and acknowkedging that sadly those we love most may pass away in our absence. I too left SA at 16 following my french husband, 4 children and 30 years later followed the 2 nd lucky husband, a Palestinan to Malaysia where we lived for 7 years, and now back to my french Island of Réunion due to family ( happy) affairs. Having introduced myself I wanted your sentiment on the politics in Malaysia, if u have time to spare in light of your work in the field. Thanks,
Rooksana Kathrada
Dear Rooksana, Malaysia today is not the same place I knew a decade ago when things were more hopeful and optimistic. Malaysia has become a more draconian society. Media figures are muzzled, judges gave rulings favoring the ruling party with the imprisonment of Anwar Ibrahim and finally Nurul Izzah, Anwar Ibrahim’s daughter was arrested for making a speech in parliament and was accused of sedition. Parliamentarians enjoy parliamentary privilege to make statements without fear of retribution. So Malaysia is really in a retrogressive mode.