SHAH ALAM, Dec 6: PKR Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told of the concerns of the former Indonesian President, Prof Dr Bacharuddin Jusuf or “BJ Habibie” and how he had provided assistance as well as support to him while he was held in the Sungai Buloh prison a decade ago.
Anwar, who is also the Selangor Economic Advisor said that after being released from prison, and having received treatment at a hospital, Habibie was among the individuals who had been concerned about him.
“When I was released from prison and has received treatment at Alpha Clinic, apart from being taken care of by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah and my family members, Habibie and the late Hasri Ainun (Habibie’s wife) were also thinking of me.
“Assistance given in the Sungai Buluh prison was monitored by the former President,” he said while speaking at the Public Speaking Speech titled ‘ Habibie and Indonesia’s Transition to Democracy’ organised by the Selangor State Government held at the University of Selangor (Unisel), today.
Anwar had become acquainted with Habibie when he was a cabinet minister in the 90’s. That was when Habibie was the Minister for Research and Technology in Indonesia.
Habibie was elected as the President of Indonesia in May 1998, replacing General Mohammed Suharto who had lost his position after his administration was stricken by political and economic crisis.
Anwar said that Habibie not only excelled as a leader and political figure, but is also known as a scholar and an academic.
Obviously, Habibie had succeeded in proving his leadership despite stiff opposition from various parties, both locally and abroad.
Anwar also praised the transparency and openness in Habibie’s administration in implementing government upgrading policies resulting in a well administered country.
“Under the leadership of Habibie, only a short amount of time was taken by Indonesia to hold clean elections compared to that of Malaysia, which has taken decades to revise the register of voters,” Anwar added.
Also present at the social function were the Chief Minister of Selangor, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, State Assembly Speaker, Datuk Teng Chang Khim, State Executive Councillors and Selangor Members of Parliament.