The Asian Renaissance by Anwar Ibrahim; Marshall Cavendish, Singapore Publication; Price: Rs.615; 365 pp
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Until, to the surprise of the world, he voluntarily stepped down from office after a long stint as prime minister (1981-2003), Dr. Mahatir bin Mohammed entertained great — and perhaps exaggerated — aspirations of establishing Malaysia (pop. 26 million) as a leader nation of South-east Asia. Undoubtedly, under Mahatir’s leadership Malaysia (per capita income $3,311) experienced tremendous growth and prosperity. But it hasn’t yet built a sizeable industrial base, and continues to suffer an identity crisis as a Muslim republic ruled by the United Malaysia National Organisation (UMNO), a coalition of Malay, Chinese and Indian political parties which nevertheless practices positive discrimination in favour of Malay bhumiputras (sons of the soil). And latterly there’s been a growing national movement for Malaysia to reassert its Islamic identity.
Anwar Ibrahim was Malaysia’s deputy prime minister until he was deposed in 2002 by Mahathir on sensational charges of sodomy. After several years in jail, Ibrahim was exonerated by Malaysia’s Supreme Court in 2004. Since then he has re-emerged on the political scene as an outspoken maverick, who is an icon to a growing number of people in this multi-ethnic South-east Asian country.
In his heyday (1993-98) as the anointed heir of Mahatir Mohammed, Ibrahim played a critical role in providing an Islamic face to Mahatir’s secular regime. Now with Mahatir in retirement and his successor Abdullah Bin Ahmad Badaroi also having quit office in favour of Najib Razak, Ibrahim quite obviously believes that UMNO is electorally vulnerable. Hence this book which is his political manifesto.
Ibrahmin’s starting point is the remarkable economic progress of Asia — particularly South-east Asian countries — which have experienced what he describes as a “boom” and “miracle”. This, he believes, has enabled Asia to “rediscover its soul” and “reconstruct its civilizations”, stimulating a fundamental shift in global power from the West to East. According to him, a strong Asia has emerged which can facilitate a genuine inter-civilisational dialogue between the East and the West as equal partners.
Overlooking the wave of crass consumerism which has swept much of Asia in the wake of the economic miracle, Ibrahim argues that “Asia, despite centuries of change and transformation, retains its essential religious character”. “The Asian man”, he says, “is at heart persona religiosis”. The “Asian Renaissance”, gushes the author is driven by a “vision of perfection”, “quest for truth”, “love of learning”, “justice and compassion, mutual respect and forbearance and freedom with responsibility”. As a statement of hope or pious intent, this is unexceptional. Ibrahim, however, seems to present this utopia as an undeniable fact.
Perhaps more convincing is Ibrahim’s assertion that positive values, derived from Asian religious and cultural traditions, should, and can play a major role in shaping the economic development of Asia and indeed, the rest of the world. These could temper mindless materialism, communal conflicts, pervasive individualism, social anarchy and lack of concern for the poor that he sees as characteristic of the post-enlightenment Godless, secular, dominant Western vision of man and the universe.
Yet while emphasising the value of eastern philosophy and traditions, Ibrahim also advocates a paradigm shift in the way Asians understand religion. He denounces obsessive concern with ritual and the consequent neglect, even violation, of the ethical content of religion.
Distinctive Asian multiculturalism can only grow, stresses the author, if civil society is afforded space by Asian governments. Ibrahim is critical of religious and ethnic exclusivity and the suppression of religious and cultural minorities that continues to be endemic in many Asian polities ruled by oppressive and feudalistic elites, who often cite “Asian values” and cultural relativism to justify autocratic rule. He calls for full participation and open interaction between all diverse elements of society. “No particular group or sector,” he cautions, “must be made to feel alienated, deprived or suppressed.”
If only things could be that simple! And if only politicians could live up to their pious rhetoric! Yet despite being preachy, this book is inspiring and well worth a read.
Yoginder Sikand