Domestic reforms must be in line with foreign ones - Tian Chua

Veteran politician Tian Chua has lauded the government's foreign policies, which he said have undergone positive reforms despite pressure from larger countries.

However, the sacked PKR leader hoped similar reforms could be carried out domestically.

"In terms of foreign relations, I feel that the government has taken a few positive steps to defend the country's dignity.

"I hope similar (steps) would also be taken in domestic issues," Tian Chua told reporters outside the Sentul police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today.

The former Batu MP was responding to claims that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had failed to carry out reforms, more than a year after helming Malaysia.

Aside from the opposition, influential NGOs like Bersih and the Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4 Center) have accused Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairperson, of failing to keep his promises made when the coalition was the opposition.

Malaysia has been vocally championing the Palestinian cause, particularly concerning Gaza which has come under relentless attack from Israel.

Anwar recently met Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar.

Change must involve all

Meanwhile, Tian Chua played coy when asked about Anwar's remark that radical change will only prompt anger and frustration when asked about the slow pace of reforms.

"I think it is a general statement, I do not know the context.

"To me, any kind of reform must be accepted by the general populace," Tian Chua, who was a key figure in the Reformasi movement in 1998, said.

The former PKR vice-president opined that changes in the country must involve all quarters, including the opposition.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during an interview with Bloomberg at the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha

"Reforms are a nation-building process. All quarters must shoulder the responsibility.

"I hope to see the country's reforms succeed. I hope there will be collaboration. Tone down on the political enmity," he said.

At the Qatar Economic Forum in Doha recently, Anwar commented to Bloomberg on criticisms against his administration's slow progress of reforms.

Citing the failure of reforms in many parts of Europe, he said: "It’s a disaster. You assume that the elites have all the answers without even interacting with the masses. I think this is the basic flaw of the so-called elitist-democratic ideals." - Mkini