BY: DESMOND JUDE

Opinion is divided in this country if Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is the person who has saved the nation from becoming a failed state and is supposedly responsible for reversing its fortunes.

This seems like very high praise to be given to Anwar but there is formidable evidence available to suggest that before he took over the reins of power from PutraJaya this country was all at sea and looking like it needed a lifeline.

But to give total credit to Anwar for pump priming Malaysia would be unfair as he received able assistance from a slew of advisers to jump start and cause the Malaysian economy to once again come to life.

But Anwar did his part and he did play a sterling contribution by working hard and tirelessly especially in his objective of eradicating hard core poverty and uplifting the socio economic status of those in the lower end of society.

Needless to say, he focused on the B40 and M40 groups and created a kind of mechanism akin to a welfare system to help those in these two groups who would otherwise start to flounder and become an underclass.

But while Anwar, like a knight in shining armour, came to the rescue of Malaysia, he nevertheless has his work cut out for him which would include primarily building the economy, combating corruption, creating employment and ensuring wealth is equitably distributed.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher