[Malaysia] Anything but politics: Anwar Ibrahim

Anything but politics: Anwar Ibrahim

Andrew Ong, Malaysiakini

Oct 6, 2005

Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim was chirpy as usual when met by Rentakini at his home in Kuala Lumpur recently. He was briefly in Malaysia for a nationwide whirl-wind tour while taking a break from his teaching duties as visiting professor in Georgetown University, Washington DC.

Anwar requested that he not be photographed - he had a rather ‘bad haircut’ while in Washington, he quipped. As he was rushing off for another engagement, he gave Rentakini 10 minutes - enough for us to ask him these ground-breaking questions.

What’s the last movie you watched?

Monster-in-law starring Jane Fonda. Then there was Kingdom of Heaven. It was quite good and I enjoyed it. For a Hollywood production, it gave a very balanced story of the crusades. I watched both these movies on a plane.

You’re very well travelled. Where do you want to visit again and why?

Cherok Tok Kun. It’s my village. There is nothing like it.

For this year, you have been lecturing in universities abroad. What exactly do you teach?

I’m in the foreign policy school (Georgetown University), (I lecture) mostly on Muslim- Christian understanding, modernity and Southeast Asia and also on the Asian financial crisis and macro-economic management.

How do you compare your students with local university students?

It’s a good school. Students come very well-prepared. I have two of them who have read the Asian Renaissance (a book authored by Anwar). Compared to our local universities, local students cannot read books not recommended by the vice-chancellor. (grins).

Ever owned a motorcycle?

Honda cub 50. It was very slow moving. I remember once riding the bike from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. That was when I was a student, before highways were built. It took me eight hours. The bike was bought by my father.

Childhood ambitions?

Marry a Hollywood movie star, I guess.

Who?

Natalie Wood.

Favourite hangout during student days

We used to go to the stalls in Section 16 near the roundabout. Then there is the Gazebo in Petaling Jaya. We didn’t really lepak much back then. We were demonstrating all the time. (laughs).
[At this point, Anwar signals that he has to go]

Just a few more questions. Number of kids?

Six

Youngest?

Twelve, a girl.

Last gift you gave her?

A kiss

Where to go for family dinners?

Anywhere convenient, cheap and nearby.

Recommended book for malaysiakini readers?

The World is Flat: A Brief History of the 21st Century by Thomas Friedman.

Three CDs in your car?

1. Elvis Presley - Love me tender
2. Frank Sinatra - Strangers in the night
3. P Ramlee CDs

Do your kids like Mawi?

They seem to follow the programme and they seem to talk about it. I learn a lot from them about him.