*This material from which this has been transcribed, apparently a scanned copy of a faxed message to Dr. Mahathir, was received as an e-mail attachment from someone using a Hotmail address. Parts of it are illegible.

Letterhead: Instittue of Policy Studies, Nasr Chambers, Bloc 19, Markaz F-7, Islamabad. Chairman: Prof. Khurshid Ahmad.

11th September 1998

His Excellency Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Perdana Menteri Malaysia
Pejabat Perdana Menteri
Jalan Dato’ Onn,
50502 Kuala Lumpur
MALAYSIA

Fax: (01) 603 298 4172

Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

I am not sure if you remember me, but during the last twenty years I have had the honor …(illegible). Just to refresh your memory, I have been …(illegible)… and also a member of the Pakistan Senate …. (illegible). The University of Malaya has been generous enough to award me an honorary doctorate, and I have taken part in more than a dozen international conferences and seminars in Malaysia. I am also a fellow Faisal Laureate (1990).

I am a friend of Anwar Ibrahim, if "friend" is the right word to describe our relationship. Fifteen years older to him, while he has always looked toward me as teacher and mentor, I have regarded him as a younger brother and an asset not only for Malaysia but the entire Ummah. My appreciation of him, despite frequent differences of opinion on a number of issues, has increased over the last thirty years. It is largely because of him that many of us in the Muslim world were introduced to Malaysia and especially to your able visionary leadership. However, I must say at the very outset that I write to you more as a friend of a great and fraternal Islamic country and as an admirer of your leadership, than just a friend of Anwar Ibrahim.

I, therefore, want to be totally honest with you when I say that – as far as I am able to gauge this – the recent developments in Malaysia have disturbed all your friends and admirers in the Muslim world. We do not have a vote in Malaysia, but we do feel a great stake in Malaysia and see the recent turn of events as an extension of what had earlier started in Indonesia: the economic re-colonialisation of the Muslim power in South East Asia.

We were glad to note that at least there was someone like you who was trying to resist the neo-colonial economic order, and it is in this spirit that I greatly admire your desire to bolt the doors on the money speculators. But while it is very important that we firmly secure the doors against external thieves and robbers, it is much more important what we do inside, after closing the doors.

Unfortunately, however, as we take a detached view, the MALAY HOUSE (Prof. Khurshid’s emphasis) now looks divided against itself and, irrespective of the fact who is more right and who is more wrong, everyone is going to lose.

I am afraid the game played in Indonesia before is being replayed in Malaysia. It began with arousing doubts and distrust between yourself and Anwar Ibrahim, a scenario that has unfolded during the last one year. I am afraid both of you have fallen victim to the subtle ‘conspiracy’ to split the top leadership, to deal with each one separately and then to start ‘rebuilding’ the country in accordance with the design the adversaries of Islam have drawn up. The little difference was that in the case of Indonesia they got rid of Suharto first; in the case of Malaysia, Anwar became the first target.

I would be frank with you. I do not see a shred of truth in the allegations the spin-doctors have unveiled. But, let me say here that even if there happened to be the slightest element of truth in those outlandish allegations, the way the whole lot of ‘immorality’ cases have been piled up against Anwar Ibrahim carried little conviction with all fair and objective opinion. Nor can these allegations stand any independent judicial scrutiny. Even Islamically speaking, this is not the way to deal with matters relating to one’s honour and morality. Islam has given a definite code of conduct for such matters, even specifying punishments for such heinous crimes, including unfounded allegations (Qazf). So has the legal system. How moral is it to ignore them in matters relating to morality?

Starting with the launch of the first ‘poison pen’ letter last year to the publication of the so-called 50-reason booklet, Why Anwar Ibrahim cannot become the Prime Minister, its official distribution at the UMNO General Assembly and its reported dissemination even after a High Court injunction, make it a purely political case (sadly of the dirtiest type). How is an independent person going to accept the view … (long illegible section) …ventilated at the UMNO General Assembly, which continues to agitate the common people and which in the past you were yourself frank enough to admit loudly and honestly. So Anwar Ibrahim may be out, but the issues remain outstanding. They need to be addressed immediately, and in a way which is open and transparent. The situation also demands a unity which transcends all political rivalries and differences. One doubts, though, that your special branch has had the courage to report to you the growing alienation among the Malay youth.

The real challenges that confront Malaysia are, therefore, more internal than external, because external factors can only play upon internal weaknesses. In recent years, the Muslim world has seen many a good and capable leader succumb to external conspiracies because somehow they were not at peace with their own people and, having been in power for a long period of time, they had become detached with their own ground.

I am sure that as someone who is distinguished for his candour you will take my observations in the spirit that they have been made. We claim no infallibility for our views and opinions, but please be assured about our unflinching dedication to the well-being, progress and development of Malaysia, and its people and its leadership. For in the words of the Prophet’s (Allah’s Belssings and Peace be upon him) Hadith, Islam is Nasiha.

I am presently on a medical visit to the UK and expect to be here for a month or two. I pray for you, for Anwar, and for the well being and progress of Malaysia, and hope and pray that the damage that has been done could somehow be contained and repaired. Perhaps it is too late. Perhaps something could still be done. May Allah guide us all and help us in this moment of crisis.

Please accept, Your Excellency, my consideration of highest regard.

With personal regards,

Your brother in Islam

(signature)

Prof. Khurshid Ahmad