Multimedia Corridor : LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 
International Herald Tribune
November 25, 1998

Regarding "2 Technology Advisers Resign" (Nov. 12):

Although in my recent correspondence with Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia and in published articles I have sharply criticized the imprisonment in Malaysia of the former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, and my friend Munawar Anees, I have not yet formally resigned from the International Advisory Panel of the "Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor," as reported in the press.

I do not believe that this visionary project, which is important for the future of the Malaysian people and serves, in part, as a model and challenge to other countries, can flourish in the present climate of political repression. I am sure other members of the panel, including the heads of many giant software, computer and telecommunications companies, share this view. And I do not agree, as Mr. Mahathir has argued in response to my appeals, that the Multimedia Corridor project is purely a business matter and has nothing to do with politics.

The "cyberlaws" that he promised investors — complete freedom of access to information, and other Third Wave freedoms — are, in fact, clearly political. The creation of an Asian Silicon Valley is itself inherently political.

That is why I hope that even at this late date a calm and just resolution can be found to the conflict between those calling for reform in Malaysia and a once visionary prime minister, who in the past has prevented ethnic conflict, marginalized religious fanaticism, and helped replace rubber, tin, and timber with semiconductor chips as his country's key export.

If Mr. Anwar and Mr. Anees are not released from prison unharmed as soon as possible, I will resign, as, I suspect, will other members of the panel on whose investments the project depends.

ALVIN TOFFLER.

Los Angeles.

Copyright © 2006 the International Herald Tribune