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Journalism of Courage
KUALA LUMPUR, OCT 17: Several hundred protesters crammed a shopping precinct in the Centre of the Malaysian capital today, calling for Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to step down, witnesses said.
As police looked on, a group of almost 1,000 people on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in the heart of the capital waved their fists and shouted “Reformasi” (reform) and “Down with Mahathir”.
Protesters unfurled several banners with anti-government slogans in front of a department store on the street, with police and a water cannon truck stationed a few feet away, witnesses said.
The demonstrations took place on the same street where more than 3,000 people demonstrated last week for five hours denouncing Mahathir’s 17-year rule. Mahathir is currently on a visit to Japan.
Reformasi is the call of supporters of sacked finance minister and deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, who is being held on corruption and sex charges.
Meanwhile, Mahathir has said in Tokyo that Anwar was not fit to succeed him as premier. “Idon’t know about other countries, but in Malaysia, illegal sexual acts are not permitted on religious grounds,” the Mainichi Shimbun quoted Mahathir as saying.
“I came to a conclusion he is not fit to become my successor,” said Mahathir who arrived here Friday on his first overseas visit since Anwar’s arrest.
Mahathir said the Anwar situation, and Malaysia’s economic crisis made him change his plan about resigning after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Kuala Lumpur next month.
He told the Japanese media he would now decide on his successor at a meeting of the ruling United Malays National Organisation next year.
Mahathir criticised television news channels CNN and CNBC saying their portrayal of riots in his country after the sacking of Ibrahim was “as if anti-government riots happen every hour in Malaysia”.
“CNN and especially CNBC have been showing the riots by Anwar supporters every hour as if there are riots in Malaysia all the time,” said Mahathir.
He also singledout the Singapore-based American owned CNBC for blowing out of proportion rallies held occassionally by Anwar supporters.
Answering questions at a forum attended by corporate leaders, bankers and academicians here yesterday, the Malaysian premier likened the hourly replays of scenes of rioting in Malaysia to that showing president Bill Clinton hugging ex-white house intern Monica Lewinsky.
“I have seen CNN showing President Clinton hugging Monica Lewinsky at least 1,000 times already, I think the hugging happened only once,” he said.
