COMMENT | Twice in a matter of a week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has urged Malaysians to read to obtain a better grasp of issues and policies.

Early last week, at the Malaysian Press Night, he said journalists should read widely to gain knowledge and insight, the better, presumably, they are able in their reports to evoke public discussion and debate.

At the end of the week, at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Anwar opined that leaders must be well-read so that they can speak knowledgeably on issues sparking in the public arena.

At both the press and university functions, Anwar was...