What it means to be 'liberal', according to Anwar

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said he was a "liberal" in a sense that he was willing to listen and debate.

Addressing his Facebook followers in a live video last night, Anwar (photo) said he was not liberal in a sense that he rejected religion.

"We are liberal in a sense that we are willing to listen, to discuss and are tolerant of other views," he said.

Anwar said being liberal meant not making value judgments when having a discussion.

"If an atheist or communist needed to share their views, I want to listen. I'll debate it. I'll respond.

"I don't want to judge or punish that person. This is what I mean by being liberal," he said.

Anwar said he could not accept "liberals" who reject faith and morality and "conservatives" who condone corruption.

"Sometimes, (there are people) who steal hundreds, thousands and billions of ringgit.

"But (conservatives) are okay with it because (the thief) is a 'conservative Muslim', therefore, corruption is okay," he said.

Anwar said the alternative to being "liberal" was to have an authoritarian regime where differences in opinion were not tolerated.

"If not, you can choose an authoritarian regime, like the Taliban.

"Semua tak boleh (everything is forbidden). All sorts of things will result in punishment. Women can't go to school.

"That would be our fate, but I won't choose that path," he said. - Mkini