Anwar The Only Viable Counter To Extremism Threat Says Veteran Newsman

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Ex-Straits Times senior editor Yap Koon Hong also believes prime minister Anwar Ibrahim is best placed to uncover the country’s multiracial 'holy grail'.
Malaysia’s poorer rural and urban Malay underclass have a better chance of achieving parity with the Malay middle class under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, says Yap Koon Hong in his new book.PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is the only viable counter to the existential threat of extremism Malaysia is faced with now, an award-winning veteran newsman has claimed
Yap Koon Hong said Anwar’s prime ministership may finally help uncover the country’s multiracial “holy grail”.
Yap said the PKR president’s ecosystem holds the promise of radical social and economic reconstruction.
He said the changes Anwar ushers in could elevate the poorer rural and urban Malay underclass towards achieving parity with the developed, urban multi-racially comfortable Malay middle class.
“This last prospect holds the hope of creating a confident and considered Malay-Malaysian electorate who prefer multi-racialism over racial extremism,” Yap wrote in his book, titled “Notes To Myself And You”.
Yap, a former senior editor with Singapore’s The Straits Times, claimed that without Anwar’s progressive ecosystem, Malaysia would be faced with a “terrifying political alternative” – a PAS-led Perikatan Nasional.
He said PAS, led by party president Abdul Hadi Awang, was bent on reversing Anwar’s moderate Malaysia.
If it comes into power, the Islamic party will likely implement “medieval” policies, he claimed, including the subordination of meritocracy, religious and cultural tolerance and the rule of secular law.
“Anwar, through Pakatan Harapan, ensures the continuation of a peaceful, tolerant and vibrant Malay-led multiracial, multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-political Malaysia,” he wrote.
Yap also praised Anwar’s leadership, saying that he “brings a lot” with him to Malaysia’s table.
Taking into account the non-stop barrage of challenges he had to contend with compared to his predecessors, Anwar has shown himself to be a good and effective leader, said Yap.
“Anwar has the chance to be a great leader yet, if he avoids the pitfall of his nemesis Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in lusting for power at the expense of steady and ready succession.” - FMT
“Notes To Myself And You” is available on Amazon Prime in e-book form, while the printed version is available only in Malaysia and Singapore by direct purchase and delivery.
Readers who want to purchase the book, priced at RM60, may contact [email protected] or call +6017 3350 855.
Alternatively, they may contact CK Yap at +6012 7932 366.

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