Support for Anwar

After the Fall
By Murray Hiebert and Andrew Sherry (Far Eastern Economic Review)

Now that he has fired his deputy Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has no one to challenge his political supremacy or his unorthodox economic policies. His triumph may come back to haunt him.

September 17, 1998. It's 1:30 a.m., and Anwar Ibrahim's house is still thronged with hundreds of friends, family and complete strangers. They have come to show support--and to try to prevent the arrest of the sacked deputy prime minister. Retreating for a moment from the crowds of well-wishers, he slips upstairs with his wife to receive visitors in a tiny bedroom lined with possessions that arrived that afternoon from his former official residence: cardboard boxes, duffel bags, a crated Apple computer and a gaggle of oversized stuffed animals belonging to the couple's six children.

Where to Go From Heir?
By NISID HAJARI
Reported by John Colmey/Kuala Lumpur and Ravi Velloor/Singapore
(Cover Story of Time Asia, Sept 14, 1998, Vol. 152, No. 10)


Long slated for greatness, Anwar Ibrahim learns the pitfalls of being Mahathir Mohamad's No. 2

The last men to challenge malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad learned a hard lesson. Former Finance Minister Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and former Deputy Prime Minister Musa Hitam failed in their 1987 bid to assume leadership of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and were banished to the political wilderness. "The worst job in politics is No. 2," a worn Razaleigh told TIME in 1996, "because you can't survive if you stay there."

Ousted Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim: "I Told Him: 'You Are Obsolete'"
By John Colmey
(Cover Story of Time Asia, Sept 14, 1998, Vol. 152, No. 10)


Just two days after he was sacked as Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim sat on the floor of his study with TIME correspondent John Colmey and reporter David Liebhold to present his side of events. Outside his unassuming home, scores of admirers chanted his name; inside, friends trooped in, offering support. One retired minister hugged Anwar and advised him to "have courage." During the interview Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah, sat supportively beside him. Although he was expecting arrest at any moment, Anwar projected a relaxed mood, laughing easily.

Sordid politicking triggers stand-off
By CRAIG SKEHAN
(Sydney Morning Herald)


DR MAHATHIR Mohamad's 17-year rule in Malaysia has produced an army of sycophants. So there was no shortage of inquisitors willing to collect allegedly damaging material about his deputy and anointed successor, Mr Anwar Ibrahim, when he stepped out of line. It was supposed to have been a matter of forcing a confession or making an arbitrary finding of guilt before the turn-coat was politically executed. However, over-zealousness by those eager to show loyalty to the man at the top has instead led to a messy stand-off.