May 2, 2013
Who is more likely to be America’s ally
by Rusman
Throughout the political campaigns of the last five years in Malaysia one recurring theme (at least when Anwar Ibrahim is involved) is his supposed “closeness” to America. The BN propaganda machine, and particularly the UMNO propaganda apparatus, spills much ink talking about how Anwar is a CIA agent funded by the American government.
Whatever the case may be, the following analysis appeared yesterday on the pages of the Washington DC based think tank Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The piece is authored by so called long-time Anwar ally Doug Paal and James Bader, who recently served on the National Security Council for President Obama, advising him on Asian issues.
The essay minces no words in praising the Najib administration for the reforms it has achieved during the last four years. Amazingly they praise Najib as a democratic reformer, by referencing that he offers criticisms of Myanmar and North Korea. They somehow credit Najib for running a “clean” government in comparison to that of Mahathir’s.
Malaysia’s strong performance under Najib stands in marked contrast to the ethnic preferences and frequent allegations of corruption and cronyism under Mahathir.
They also applaud Najib’s repeal of the ISA, only to forget to mention that it was replaced with something that still allows for detention without trial, and has left in place other laws which can be used to arrest political dissidents such as the Sedition Act.
Clearly the authors have not been paying attention neither to Najib’s penchant for ultra-malay nationalism nor the dozens of scandals that have mired UMNO in just the last four years.
Relegating the 13th general election to a sideshow, Paal and Bader say that the real contest taking place in Malaysia is between Najib and the hardliners within his own party. To argue that Najib’s administration has been a clean one is to ignore some very plain and simple facts.
Most notably is the way that the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission 
was talked down to and castigated by Sarawak Chief Minister Taib Mahmud in response to the most recent revelations by Global Witness that the Mahmud family colludes to acquire, sell and profit from Native lands in Borneo.
The authors have to bend over backwards to claim that under Najib Malaysia has been a peaceful and pluralistic nation. Racial tensions have probably not been higher than they currently are and Najib’s selection of Zulkifly Noordin as a candidate and his turn-the-other-cheek attitude to right wing ultra nationalist Ibrahim Ali’s candidacy demonstrate the opposite of a pluralistic outlook. Najib’s 1Malaysia slogan as a banner for his administration falls flat whenever it’s juxtaposed with the many things Najib says or doesn’t say when it comes to truly embracing pluralism.
Finally we get to the heart of the matter. The authors remind us that under Najib Malaysia has come into line with US foreign policy vis-a-vis Iran.
Under Najib, Malaysia also has moved to significantly tighten its previously porous export-control system, which had made the country a transit point for shipment and financing of dual-use products going to Iran. Defense cooperation with the United States and others has been normalized, and it has not remained a forum for grandstanding against the West.
Not being a conduit for dual-use technology to Iran is probably a good thing. However, this paragraph reveals why all the previous arguments in favor of Najib can be so thin and flimsy and yet still make their way into an essay of this nature by authors of this stature.
Disingenuously Paal and Bader spend a brief paragraph trying to criticize Anwar Ibrahim as someone who would not be a friend of the United States. Astonishingly they claim that he’s moved to closer alignment with Islamic politics in recent years, presumably referring to the fact that Pakatan Rakyat includes PAS one of it’s members.
Leave it to the American analyst of Muslim politics to totally misunderstand
the situation. If anything Anwar should be credited with bringing PAS out of its corner and more into the mainstream as a Muslim political party focused on issues of governance and rule of law instead of focusing on the singular issues of Sharia. This is a major accomplishment vis-a-vis Malaysian democracy.
In conclusion it is interesting to note that on the eve of Malaysian elections, the US favorite is in fact the candidate whose party has staked its reputation on criticizing how much in the pocket of America his opponent is. Who is really in the pocket right now?
Din Merican: the Malaysian DJ Blogger 
I am an American of Asian descent. Unfortunately, Asian politicians are not consistently pro-America. Dr. Mahatier was very critical of the USA, if I remember correctly at one of his UN General Assembly speeches. LYK was one of the few who Americans tend to like, although at times, Singapore inflicted capital punishment on an American youth which attracted adverse comment from President Clinton.
I would think Kazakhstan has more influence, followed by the US, then PRC ‘Mandarins’ in the Jib’s household. The French too have some ‘dark’ influence as do the Indian ascetics. Haven’t heard much on the effect of Italian ‘Milan’ and UK ‘Harrod’s’ marketeers though.
As for Anwar’s household – i haven’t been there. Not welcome, ‘cuz stuff there very cheaplak, proletariat and not branded, except for Kak Wan’s tudung and gloves.
Would like to hear from Ambassador John Mallot on this
You must be careful of your friends in high places. You are with me or you are against me. Just take the case of that American citizen who has been recharged for murder in Italy. Every news network is up against the Italian Judiciary now and when the first trial was in progress.
But do not get me wrong. The US is a good friend to have when your neighbour is trying to bully you.
Zakgaz, I’m here — I just woke up, America time!!. Din has said it all very well. The Paal-Bader piece reads like a puff-piece, a handout from the Malaysian Embassy or UMNO headquarters. Astonishingly they claim that cronyism and corruption were associated with the Mahathir era, but not with Najib. I guess they have never heard of Scorpene, the National Feedlot Corporation, Syed Mokhtar, Birkin bags, Jho Lo, trips in government jets, and overpriced bond issues for 1MDB. It shows what happens when two non-experts start writing about countries they know little about.
Also, neither of them is an economic specialist. The economic statistics they cited are very selective. They cited the increase in economic growth rates and inward FDI. However, they did not say that government debt as a percentage of GDP has nearly doubled under Najib, to levels that have alarmed the IMF. They did not point out that money has been leaving Malaysia (both legally and illicitly), to the point where outflows are greater than the FDI inflow. The ADB report that Din recently posted showed that Najib’s favoritism of GLCs actually has been stifling the private sector in Malaysia. They also did not put Malaysia’s economic progress in regional perspective — Malaysia used to lead the way in Southeast Asia, but not in recent years. It is underperforming.
Din is right that Doug Paal was once seen as “close” to Anwar. But in recent years he has been singing Najib’s praises in Washington DC circles, and indeed his think tank even hired Najib’s daughter as an intern a few years back.
I also don’t think they gave Badawi enough credit. The first major improvement in Malaysia’s relations with the US came with Badawi, not Najib, after Mahathir left. My personal view is that Malaysia’s relations with the US will be good, whether it is under UMNO or PR. However, if PR comes to power and makes good on its pledges to curb corruption, increase transparency, and strengthen human and political rights, then the US government and investors will be happy.
Mahathir was and is still America’s secret ally, he’s got the job done a long2 time ago,even flew in some important guys then from the Senate to Langkawi, notice that he’s the only guy who gets away with unruly remarks about the US and Israel, what a script they have, will make Drama Minggu Ini cringe…know it ,seen it,and was there….so what else is new……Oouch!!