With one swing of his blade Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has slain both Singapore ex-premier Lee Kuan Yew and Prime Minister Najib Razak over their recent statements on Malaysian politics.

NONE Asked to comment on Lee's new book ‘One man's view of the world', Anwar said the senior leader's views were "obsolete" especially when it comes to race-based politics.

But while Lee belonged to the old school, Najib has shown the inability to reform Umno, the country's dominant political party, mocked Anwar.

"We can see a lack of understanding on the part of Kuan Yew, and lack of resolves on part of Najib to understand the sentiments of Malaysians," he said when met yesterday in Cherok Tokun, at a Aidilfitri open house organised by Machang Bubuk assemblyperson Lee Khai Loon.

"Kuan Yew's view somewhat represents the Mahathir generation - it's quite obsolete. He is always looking at the dichotomy between rights and race, black and white," Anwar added.

Lee Kuan Yew - one mans view "For example, he talks about race based policies, but has very little understanding of the discourses that have happened since the last decade," he said.

The PKR supremo was referring to Lee saying that race-based policies were disadvantageous to Malaysia and that the country is shrinking the talent pool needed to build the kind of society that uses talent from all races.

Anwar said Lee appeared to be still trapped in his old mindset when he was an opposition MP taking on the Alliance government, or whenever political tensions were raised between Malaysia and Singapore.

He dismissed Lee's thoughts as "irrelevant in the context of the present day".

‘Najib unable to reform'

On the same note, Anwar said Najib has shown the "inability" to make effective reforms or change, and thinks in terms of "generations" for it to happen.

NONE Najib last week agreed with former premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a new book about his leadership ‘The Awakening', that it was difficult for Umno to reform.

He said Najib does not seem to realise that Malaysia has been independent for more than half a century.

"We have embarked on the new economic policy, enriching the few family members and cronies," he said.

"But the option is not to ignore the plight of the majority of the Malays or marginalise the poor, but to look at it as a decision of needs, not race," he said.

Anwar reminded the two leaders that more than half of Malaysians were prepared to see a fundamental shift in the country's policies when they threw their support (51) percent behind Pakatan Rakyat (in the last general election).

He said this was despite Malaysians facing "incessant negative propaganda" of fear and insecurity - where the Malays were threatened with losing their rights and were told that DAP wants a Christian state.

"If we allow free exchange of the media, then I can safely say we can cross 65 percent of Malaysians prepared to shift from obsolete race-based politics to needs-based agenda of reform," he said.

‘Umno should heed book’

Meanwhile, Anwar advised Umno to engage in the issues raised in the book 'Awakenings', which relates to the leadership of former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"They should be engaged in a discourse in policies during his time, instead of these rancorous discussion on race," said Anwar.

He said he was not interested in personal references about Abdullah, for example, his tendency to nap during official functions due to sleep apnea.

"I don't want to be in Mahathir's category," he quipped.

"Abdullah's policies are important and Umno should debate and engage in the issues he has brought up," he said.

"Particularly when he asserted in no uncertain terms his failure to influence Umno in the major positions he took during his leadership," he added.

Anwar made several stops on his tour - from Pantai Jerejak, Penanti, Permatang Pauh and Nibong Tebal - to visit supporters, who in turn prepared him a cake to celebrate his birthday.

But while the PKR de facto leader, who turned 66 yesterday, was willing to take photos with them and the cake, he declined to cut his birthday offering.

"What is there to celebrate at this old age?" he said in jest.