2-8-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s decision to welcome controversial Indonesian preacher Abdul Somad Batubara raises concerns about his judgment and commitment to promoting moderate Islamic principles. Somad has been barred from entering several countries due to his extremist views promoting violence against non-Muslims and animosity towards those who don’t share his religious views. Yet Anwar warmly welcomed him, spending an hour with Somad in his office during the preacher’s recent visit to Putrajaya.
Anwar has touted his “Malaysia Madani” framework as the foundation for a more progressive, diverse Malaysia that embraces respect for all. However, welcoming an extremist like Somad goes against everything Anwar claims to stand for under that framework. Somad’s views promoting violence, hatred towards non-Muslims, and creation of an Islamic caliphate clash sharply with Malaysia Madani’s stated principles of sustainability, prosperity, innovation,respect, trust and compassion.
During his Malaysian visit, Somad met not just Anwar but also the Melaka governor, lectured at a mosque attended by the Selangor Queen, spoke at large public events attended by politicians and royalty, and was given a grand farewell on a private jet. Anwar’s government sanctioned Somad’s entire itinerary. This legitimizes Somad’s extremist views in the eyes of many Muslims, undermining Anwar’simage as a progressive leader.
Anwar claims he and Somad “agreed on the importance of preaching Islam in a moderate manner,” but that seems hard to believe given Somad’s well-known extremist positions. It’s unlikely Anwar is ignorant of the controversy surrounding Somad, who has been denied entry to Singapore, the UK, Germany and elsewhere for his extremist views. Yet Anwar inexplicably endorsed him.
While Anwar’s Malaysia Madani framework has laudable goals, embracing an extremist preacher who lacks religious depth but encourages conflict contradicts those goals. It shows poor judgment on Anwar’s part and raises questions about his leadership. If Anwar truly seeks to unite Malaysians and promote moderation, tolerance and respect for diversity as he claims, he must make wiser choices about which figures to publicly embrace. His legitimacy and credibility as a progressive leader depend on drawing clearer distinctions between extremists and moderates, not blurring those lines. Future decisions that better reflect Anwar’s stated values would restore confidence in his leadership and vision for a more inclusive, just Malaysia. But for now, Anwar’s endorsement of Somad suggests he has further to go in walking the talk of Malaysia Madani.
Hari ini saya menerima kunjungan Ustaz Abdul Somad Batubara, pendakwah yang berasal dari Sumatera Utara, Republik Indonesia yang juga dalam rangka siri ceramah di Malaysia minggu ini. #MalaysiaMADANI pic.twitter.com/WjWGMFV4mO
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) July 13, 2023
