Anwar Ibrahim: Indonesia visit to celebrate ‘Reformasi’

MALAYSIA - KUALA LUMPUR. Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim is visiting Indonesia to “celebrate 20 years of Indonesia’s Reformasi”, according to a statement made available on Sunday, referring to the archipelago’s Reform era.

Anwar was recently released from prison after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad won a shock election over former prime minister Najib Razak.

He is now the leader of Malaysia's ruling coalition, Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope).

“Today I’m here in Jakarta to meet the invitation from former Indonesian president Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie to celebrate 20 years of Indonesia’s Reformasi,” Anwar said in a release.

Anwar and Habibie are scheduled to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Jakarta time.

The year 1998 is a sacred year for Malaysia and Indonesia, Anwar said.

“May 21 is commemorated by Indonesian people as the time when the old regime was toppled, the start of transition of power and the formation of democratic institutions began during the administration of [then] president BJ Habibie,” Anwar said.

Malaysian people, he went on, remembered Sept. 2 the same year as the fall of the Barisan Nasional regime, which finally concluded two decades later on May 9.

“I believe my meeting with Habibie will improve the relations between our two countries, and will strengthen Malaysia’s Reformasi agenda,” he said.