Speaking to FMT, Abim president Mohamad Raimi Abdul Rahim claimed that Anwar, one of his predecessors, was among the first Muslim leaders to articulate the idea of Islam’s relevance in a plural society and the compatibility of its tenets with democratic ideals.
He said it was also Anwar who first led the movement aimed at changing Malaysian society into one that is egalitarian and underpinned by civic organisations.
“He made it clear a long time ago that it was important to see Malaysia as a multicultural and multiracial nation united in the pursuit of that ideal,” he said.
“Unfortunately, with his incarceration and the long rule of Barisan Nasional, these aspirations were ignored and Malaysians in fact became more polarised.”
Nevertheless, Raimi added, one could regard Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the recent election as proof of the enduring quality of Anwar’s vision.
“We hope he can now finish the job he started,” he said.
Raimi also thanked Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for securing Anwar’s release and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for granting him a full pardon.
Anwar was Abim’s president between 1974 and 1982.