Rumours have been rife for the last couple of years that Malaysia's premier was preparing to announce his retirement in 1997 and hand over the reigns of power to his anointed successor the following year. Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed's decision to take a two-month break this summer, leaving deputy Anwar Ibrahim in charge, makes that scenario now appear likely.
This seems to be an opportunity for Dr Mahathir to watch from the sidelines and see how his protege runs the country before taking the ultimate step. In his 15-year tenure, the prime minister has ruled with a firm hand, while his country has enjoyed stability and strong economic growth. His administration has not been without controversy, but his popularity remains relatively unaffected, and this may be a prelude to him stepping into the wings on a more permanent basis.
Although Mr Anwar describes his relationship with the premier as like father and son, they are markedly different in approach. The 49- year-old started his political career as a long-haired student radical in the 1960s, leading protests over low prices in the rubber industry. The experience earned him 22 months in a detention camp, but that did not stop Dr Mahathir from luring him in to the United Malays National Organisation, and it has certainly not dulled Mr Anwar's liberal instincts. He has criticised his country's harsh Internal Security Act, and poured scorn on the notion that 'Asian values' mean muted democracy and rule by authoritarian excess. He believes dissent plays a valuable role in a healthy and stable society. If he assumes power in the long term, Malaysia can look forward to some changes in its political structure.
He established his credentials in 1991 when he was appointed finance minister, in spite of a perception in the business sector that he was a lightweight with little understanding of economics. There, too, he took a liberal line, equating economic development with human development. At the same time he embarked on a reform programme, establishing an Independent Securities Commission which did away with a lot of abuses and outside interference, and greatly improved the image of the country's capital market on the international stage.
A politician now respected by the business world, holding firm to democratic ideals, and concerned about social welfare, the environment and Malaysian culture, Mr Anwar's appears to have every quality of an international statesman, but he is untried on the wider political stage. This is his chance to prove that Malaysia will be in safe keeping if the premiership passes to his hands.
