The political climate in Malaysia, once darkened by clouds of hate, appears to be clearing after the release of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, said an academic at a major conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Dr Abdul Rahman Embong also urged politicians on both sides of the fence to adopt a more congenial approach in dealing with one another.

The conference, organised by the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli), featured a panel discussion on the topic 'Political outlook for Malaysia - post-Umno or general elections and Anwar's release'.

Abdul Rahman, a principal research fellow attached with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), said the former deputy premier's release has brought about the prospect of a new political culture.

He also said the release has given hope for judicial independence and spurred a process of 'healing old wounds' in reference to the split in the Malay community following Anwar's sacking in 1998.

Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad had sacked Anwar on the grounds of immorality and the former deputy was severely beaten by the ex-police chief after he was arrested. Anwar later spent six years in jail for corruption and sodomy.

'Fierce backlash'

Elaborating, Abdul Rahman cited Anwar's remark that he bore no ill-feelings towards Mahathir and his pledge to support Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's anti-corruption drive.

"It is moving away from 'hate politics'. I see Anwar's role here as important because he said upon his release that he would not be confrontational but be more consultative," he added when met later.

He also commended the 'non-confrontational and civil' manner in which the prime minister had handled Anwar's release, which was a far cry from how some of the Umno leaders had reacted.

On this point, Abdul Rahman advised Umno leaders not to feel insecure, adding that the 'fierce backlash' which followed the release was disappointing.

Calling on them to be more 'matured and confident', he said: "Their strong reactions after Anwar's release including calling him a 'traitor' is against the idea of uniting the (Malay) community which has been an issue for so many years."

Earlier at the conference, Abdul Rahman urged the premier to address several issues such as the need to overcome the gaps between promise and reality, the rich and poor, and to find ways to resolve the problem of money politics in Umno.

Abdullah should also improve the public service delivery system and transparency in government procurement as well as continuing his campaign against corruption, he added.

He said the 'feel good' factor which followed following Abdullah's ascension to the premiership would be maintained, if not grow stronger, should these issues be addressed effectively.

On the same note, Abdul Rahman said the premier must be able to face the two 'nagging questions' from the public.

These, according to him, are 'in what way can the political will and momentum for reform be sustained?' and 'when will the results be seen?'

Marginalised groups

Speaking at the same conference, Dr Denison Jayasooria from the MIC-linked Yayasan Strategik Social (YSS), warned that if the government ignored marginalised groups, it would allow the opposition and Anwar to capitalise on it.

The YSS executive director said one of the most critical issues is how the government will tackle the bottom 30 percent Malaysians categorised as low-income group, which is struggling to make ends meet.

"If these issues are not adequately addressed by the civil service or political parties in the government then it will create room for discontent, which can be politically threatening.

"The government needs to listen to the civil societies which are more concerned with this issue. If the government ignores these groups and voices, it will create room for the opposition and Anwar to mobilise the forces because these voices need (somebody to) champion (them)," he said.

Jayasooria also touched on the importance of media freedom, citing malaysiakini as an example, in addressing the above issue.

The one-day forum was attended by about 200 participants and was officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.