6 Things That Were Discussed When Anwar Met Obama's Security Advisor
Malaysian opposition leaders had much to share with US National Security Advisor Susan Rice when she was in town with US President Barack Obama.
By Mei Mei Chu — 29 Apr 2014, 04:18 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
Anwar Ibrahim could not meet Barack Obama during the US President's historic visit to Malaysia, but he did meet with US National Security Advisor Susan Rice on 29 April 2014
National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice meets with Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Mustafa Ali and Lim Guan Eng at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, yesterday.
Image via themalaysianinsider.comIn a joint statement, PKR leaders Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng and PAS Secretary General Mustafa Ali said that the meeting saw Rice seeking the opinion of the opposition on several issues.
thestar.com.myOpposition leaders Datuk Sri Anwar Ibrahim, Datuk Mustafa Ali and Lim Guan Eng met the US Ambassador in Kuala Lumpur to share their views on the political situation in Malaysia
Susan Rice thanking the opposition leaders for their time via Twitter.
Image via Susan Rice via Twitter.Today, National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice met with three top leaders of the Malaysian political opposition to hear their views on the situation in Malaysia and their efforts to press for greater democracy, transparency, and reform.
themalaysianinsider.com
“Ambassador Rice requested input on strategies to improve the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and the United States and recommended an honest conversation about the negotiations for the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA),” the statement said.
thestar.com.my1. Anwar called for a more comprehensive bilateral relationship between US and Malaysia covering trade, security, education, environment, human rights, governance and democracy
Anwar called for a more comprehensive bilateral relationship between US and Malaysia covering trade, security, education, environment, human rights, governance and democracy.
Image via whitehouse.govAnwar called for a more comprehensive bilateral relationship between both the countries, giving the relationship of Indonesia and Vietnam with US as examples. “In those countries, engagement was truly comprehensive covering trade and commerce, security, education, environment as well as issues of human rights, good governance and democracy,” he said.
thestar.com.myHe added that the United States should create a Working Group on governance and human rights that included representatives from civil society and opposition as one critical way to strengthen the comprehensive partnership announced during the visit of US president Barack Obama to Malaysia.
thestar.com.my2. On the issue of TPPA, Anwar shared the concerns Pakatan Rakyat has and how these concerns had been rejected by the Federal Government
Anwar called for a more comprehensive bilateral relationship between US and Malaysia covering trade, security, education, environment, human rights, governance and democracyOn the issue of TPPA, Anwar shared the concerns Pakatan Rakyat has and how these concerns had been rejected by the Federal Government.
Image via themalaymailonline.comOn the issue of the TPPA Anwar believes that Malaysia is a trading nation that must attract Foreign Direct Investment to survive in a challenging global economy. He explained to Ambassador Rice that Pakatan Rakyat has voiced its concerns about the TPPA, specifically regarding its stipulations about the agricultural sector, pharmaceutical sector and the exposure to complex and costly litigation that Malaysia may face upon signing the agreement.
anwaribrahimblog.comAnwar further explained that efforts to engage with the Federal Government to convey Pakatan Rakyat’s concerns and suggestions have been rejected. Ambassador Rice noted the need to facilitate a broader conversation in Malaysia about the agreement to ensure all parties understand it, to not vilify the US, and to ensure that the negotiation process is more transparent and inclusive.
anwaribrahimblog.com3. PAS Secretary General Mustafa Ali told Ambassador Rice that Malaysia suffers from failure of federalism
PAS Secretary General Mustafa Ali told Ambassador Rice that Malaysia suffers from failure of federalism
Image via imgur.comMustafa Ali stated that Malaysia suffers from the failure of federalism. The states rely heavily on the federal government for development, education and social welfare programs. Mustafa explained to Ambassador Rice that the federal government controlled by the UMNO-dominated BN coalition will resort to punishing states that are controlled by the opposition, such as by withholding development funds (e.g. the Petroleum Royalty for Kelantan). Ultimately the people suffer. Mustafa also emphasized to Ambassador Rice the need for a free media and an independent election commission to correct these problems.
4. DAP's Secretary General Lim Guan Eng highlighted serious concerns about electoral integrity in Malaysia, using the recent GE13 as an example
DAP's Secretary General Lim Guan Eng highlighted serious concerns about electoral integrity in Malaysia, using the recent GE13 as an example
Image via googleusercontent.comGuan Eng explained to Ambassador Rice that Anwar Ibrahim should be the rightful Prime Minister of Malaysia right now. Following the 2013 elections, Guan Eng informed Ambassador Rice that the opposition rallied millions of Malaysians from across the country and around the world to protest the fraudulent outcome. Although never conceding defeat, after six weeks of sustained protests, the opposition agreed to move forward with the business of governing in the interests of avoiding civil strife.
"Our party won the popular vote. We should be the governing party," Lim said after attending the meeting in Kuala Lumpur this morning. "As long as there is no electoral reform, we are very concerned with the direction of democracy in Malaysia."
The PR leaders stressed that Malaysia had to undergo electoral reforms if the US was serious about its statements on human rights, democracy and freedom in the country.
5. In response, Ambassador Rice says it is the US' view that Malaysia must apply the rule of law fairly, transparently, and apolitically to promote confidence in Malaysia's democracy and judiciary
Ambassador Rice reiterated the President's message that countries that welcome the contributions, and uphold the human rights of all their citizens, regardless of their political affiliation, ethnicity, race or religion are ultimately more prosperous and more successful. She also shared the United States' view that it is critical for Malaysia to apply the rule of law fairly, transparently, and apolitically in order to promote confidence in Malaysia’s democracy and judiciary.
themalaysianinsider.com
Ambassador Rice told the opposition leaders that the United States will continue to raise our concerns about issues of political freedom, the basic universal rights of freedom of expression, freedom of association, and religious liberty – as well as the need to respect and protect the rights of all people, regardless of their ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
themalaysianinsider.com
6. Furthermore, Ambassador Rice notes that the US had been following Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case closely. His prosecution have raised concerns regarding the rule of law in Malaysia.
US National Security Adviser Susan Rice today met opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and expressed concern at a sodomy conviction against him that is widely seen as politically motivated.
yahoo.com"Ambassador Rice emphasised to Mr Anwar that the United States has followed his case closely, and that the decision to prosecute him and the trial have raised a number of concerns regarding the rule of law and the independence of the courts," a White House statement said after their meeting in Kuala Lumpur.
themalaysianinsider.com