He Backs Reform Movement, Infuriating Government : Gore's Speech Stuns Malaysia 
International Herald Tribune
November 17, 1998
Thomas Fuller

Vice President Al Gore jolted the Malaysian government on Monday with a speech supporting the nascent reform movement here and assailing the use of authoritarian rule in a time of economic crisis.

"Among nations suffering economic crisis, we continue to hear calls for democracy in many languages, 'People Power,' 'Doi Moi,' 'Reformasi,"' Mr. Gore said at a dinner that included Malaysia's top leadership. "We hear them today — right here, right now — among the brave people of Malaysia."

The speech stunned and infuriated Malaysian government officials. So tense has the political situation been in Kuala Lumpur over the last few months that using the word 'reformasi' in public has landed many protesters in prison.

"It's the most disgusting speech I have ever heard in my life," said the trade minister, Rafidah Aziz, a close ally of Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad. "I hope I never live to hear another one from anyone like that."

"There are narrow-minded people in this world," she said, "but certainly that reflects an unabashed intervention into local affairs."

Mr. Mahathir, who has often criticized the West for interfering in the domestic affairs of Asian countries, was in the audience when Mr. Gore delivered his remarks, as was President Joseph Estrada of the Philippines and President Alberto Fujimori of Peru.

Mr. Gore said democracy could play an important role in helping countries emerge from economic crisis.

"History has taught us that freedom — economic, political, and religious freedom — unlocks a higher fraction of the human potential than any other way of organizing society," he said.

"Some take another view. They cling to the belief that authoritarian rule makes it easier to impose the fiscal discipline and financial sacrifice often necessary to weather economic storms and spark growth."

"The facts refute that view," Mr. Gore said.

White House officials said the speech, which was delivered as leaders from 21 countries converged on Malaysia to open the annual economic summit meeting Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum here, was the same message that President Bill Clinton would have delivered had he been able to travel to Malaysia. Mr. Clinton remained in Washington because of the situation in Iraq.

Although Malaysia had intended the APEC meeting to serve as a showcase for its newly transformed capital — including a new airport and dozens of recently erected skyscrapers — political events in the country have so far overshadowed the buildup to the conference and embarrassed the host government.

Leaders from the United States and Canada have refused to hold official talks with the Malaysian government, opting instead for meetings with the wife of the country's ousted deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, who is being held without bail as he faces sodomy and corruption charges in court.

Mr. Anwar's wife, Azizah Ismail, has spent two days giving interviews to journalists and meeting with a stream of visiting dignitaries, including the U.S. secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, on Sunday and Mr. Estrada of the Philippines late on Monday.

Mr. Anwar has in the span of two months gone from being the No.2 man in government to its fiercest critic. His trial — which has been suspended until after the APEC meeting ends — has captured the attention of governments throughout the region.

Mr. Anwar has lashed out at Mr. Mahathir and has repeatedly called for an end to the prime minister's 17-year rule.

Mr. Mahathir had hoped to use the APEC gathering as a platform for his views on currency trading. The prime minister has consistently blamed currency speculators and under-regulated capital flows for the 18 months of economic turbulence in Southeast Asia.

The Malaysian government has been battling weekly street protests in the capital since Mr. Anwar was detained.

"Unfortunately he doesn't understand what is going on in this country," Mrs. Rafi dah, the trade minister, said after Mr. Gore's speech. "And to talk about people power at a time when demonstrations are happening in Indonesia, for example, when lives are lost and condoning that — my God."

Several days of anti-government riots in Indonesia over the last few days — events closely watched in Malaysia — have left at least 14 dead.

"People will accept sacrifice in a democracy," Mr. Gore said, "not only because they have had a role in choosing it, but because they rightly believe they are likely to benefit from it. Democracies have done better in coping with economic crisis than nations where freedom is suppressed."

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