Anwar has the distinctive quality to lead and the vision to move Malaysia forward and the landslide victory at Permatang Pauh has emphatically endorsed his grand plan to form the next government.

His momentous Malaysian Economic Agenda (MEA) can bring sweeping reforms by embracing economic empowerment and social justice, a blueprint germinated from his book The Asian Renaissance which he authored when he was deputy prime minister and finance minister.

When in government, Anwar never compromised his idealism to uphold social justice, to formulate policies to reduce poverty and to promote economic growth. But Anwar's interests went beyond economic achievements. He fought for the government to be more tolerant towards political dissidents, civil society, freedom and democracy and to accept religious diversity in Malaysia.

‘The quest for growth must always be balanced by a profound concern for social justice and equity’ is the keystone of The Asian Renaissance . These principles and ideals have assumed greater significance in masterminding of the the MEA as a platform to reform Malaysia into a more vibrant, robust, competitive and humane economy.

Anwar also stressed in The Asian Renaissance that freedom and democracy must coexist concurrently with social order: ‘Foremost is the preservation of social order, without which there will be chaos.

‘Freedom, under the circumstances, will be illusory. In a truly democratic regime, order is to be achieved through the exercise of authority with accountability, not merely by the coercive power of the state.’

The linchpin of the MEA is committed to transparency and efficiency in government, and the upliftment of the poor in the society - Malay, Chinese, Indians and all other races. It is to build a more equitable society for all irrespective of race and religion. Under Anwar’s prime minister-ship, the MEA will replace the anachronistic NEP which has outlived its purpose since its creation 40 years ago to remedy the socio-economic inequality of the poor Malays.

For too long, the NEP has been hijacked by cronies within the ruling BN regime at the expense of the needy.

The resounding victory at Permatang Pauh has given Anwar’s Pakatan Rakyat a strong mandate to fulfil his agenda for an alternative government that is more competent to promote economic growth via productivity gain, and to reduce poverty in all segments of society.

He envisioned this core belief in The Asian Renaissance for a more humane economy: ‘Underpinning a humane economy is a philosophy of development guided by ethical and social concerns and founded upon the principles of justice and virtue [...] the key to sustainable economic growth is still productivity…’

He already reminded the Pakatan Rakyat-controlled state governments to keep their promises and to remain united, effective and strong in order to implement more competitive, merit-based policies. Only this can attract more foreign direct investments to spur the economy and subsequently to provide better services to the people especially the poor.

He has also promised to reduce the fuel price and to hold the national petroleum company - Petronas - answerable to parliament if Pakatan Rakyat were to form the next government. His opponents went on frenzied attacks and accused him of economic vandalism.

But Anwar has firm belief in fiscal restraint, as articulated in his Asian Renaissance : ‘In a humane economy, there is optimum utilisation of scarce resources, discipline in fiscal management, promotion of a clear social agenda…’ He would exercise fiscal discipline to manage the economy responsibly.

Anwar is a rare man of ideal and conviction. Internationally, he is a very rare character who can bridge the gap between West and Islam and he is widely recognised for his stance on good macroeconomic polices in banking regulations, corporate governance, the independence of the judiciary, freedom and democracy, competency, accountability and transparency in government.

On the home front, he is the only leader with moral courage and committed to reforms to serve the people first by empowering economic growth and social justice. When he was DPM his efforts were recognized with the following commendations:

- AsiaMoney nominated Anwar as Finance Minister of the Year in 1996.

- Time in1997 hailed Anwar as one of the new breed of Asian leaders.

- Newsweek named Anwar Asian of the Year in 1998.

Anwar would have easily taken over the role of PM long ago if he were submissive and had acquiesced to his former boss’s insolence, but that would have made him fail as the rest of the ruling regime.

Anwar never compromised his principles, he put the welfare of the people ahead of his own aspiration.

The battle cries for reformasi are clamouring for Anwar to form the next federal government and to nurture the the Asian Renaissance to fruition to bring a new era for a just, progressive and prosperous Malaysia.