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ANWAR IBRAHIM, former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, advised his
friend Joseph Ejercito Estrada, convicted former president, to
accept the presidential pardon being suggested by various sectors to
secure his release.
Estrada was convicted two weeks
ago for plunder by the Sandiganbayan.
In town to keynote the World
Forum for Democratization in Asia, a gathering of some 150 Asian
activists from 20 Asian countries, Ibrahim said it will be better
for the former president to accept pardon if he wants to be free.
He himself is still serving time
and is barred from any elective position until April 2008 for a
controversial conviction for corruption and sodomy that critics say
were only politically motivated.
Ibrahim spearheaded the
implementation of austerity measures in Malaysia that angered
authorities for practically denying funds to firms allegedly owned
by former Prime Minister Mahathir’s family and associates.
“[Estrada’s] punishment is
severe,” said Ibrahim, who added, “I want him to be free.”
He said he had tried to reach the
former president through mutual friends. “I mentioned that to my
wife, who mentioned it to former President Cory Aquino,” said
Ibrahim.
His wife, Wan Azizah bin Ismail,
had been guest of the Aquinos after Estrada was arrested. He said he
hoped his message had reached Estrada.
Ibrahim was unable to see
Estrada, and was apparently told that Estrada’s visit from
nonfamily members is being heavily regulated by his captors.
“In the past, President Estrada
and I had discussed about poverty and problems of people, aside from
discussing Rizal,” said Ibrahim, remembering his past interaction
with the former president.
The Philippine national hero, Dr.
Jose P. Rizal, is also revered by the Malaysians for being one of
the first Asians to push for independence. Malaysia itself became
free only after World War II.
--Nora O. Gamolo
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