Najib, Anwar and Obama’s visit to Malaysia

April 26 will be a historic day for Malaysia. For on that day, the President of the United States, Barack Obama, will be arriving in Kuala Lumpur.

He will be the first sitting US president to visit Malaysia since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966.

It is normal for heads of state to visit other nations, and Malaysia has had visits from various leaders such as China’s President Xi Jinping, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

These are very important figures, representing nations that are among the major players on the international stage.

But it is not the same as a sitting president of the US visiting the country. The US is, after all, the superpower and anything that it does creates at least a ripple, if not a wave, in most other nations.

For instance, the financial policies of the US have far reaching consequences on other countries, especially those with trade links to it. And which country does not have some link to the US?

He is not here yet, but already Obama’s visit has attracted some controversy.

The Malaysian opposition, especially Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat, is unhappy that Obama will not be meeting Anwar.

US officials often do meet opposition leaders when they visit any country, but not always. Such meetings are seen as recognition of the opposition, or as an unsaid statement to the government that the official is not happy with the treatment it is according the Opposition, or simply as a neutral stand in internal politics.

That is why PKR was looking forward to a meeting between Anwar and Obama. It could then be deemed a “victory” of sorts and boost the Opposition in the country.

It would mean that the most powerful man in the world today recognises Anwar’s, and the Opposition’s, struggles. It would mean that the US is not very pleased with the government of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. It would mean that the US looks upon both Najib and Anwar equally.

And that would give a boost to the Opposition.

That is why PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli met a US official to convey a "strong message" regarding this.

"I didn't ask (for a meeting with Anwar) though I did express in the strongest terms that US' credibility in the eyes of Malaysians will plunge if the US is too calculative to push the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement over democratic principles," Rafizi told a media conference.

That is why PKR secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said Obama’s decision not to meet with Anwar raised questions about the US’ commitment to democracy, freedom and justice.

He said the US was aware that the opposition Pakatan Rakyat coalition, led by Anwar, was defeated by allegedly unfair practices in the general election last year and that the Opposition had received 52 per cent of the popular vote.

“This should have been taken into consideration by the Obama administration, that the majority support in Malaysia is for Pakatan Rakyat,” he said.

However, this is not to be. Now, the “victory” lies with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak. For Najib, it will be seen as a coup with valuable ramifications.

The Barisan Nasional can go around saying that Obama has snubbed Anwar and that the US does not “support” Anwar. Its publicity machinery – including mainstream newspapers – can churn out statements and comments to make Anwar look insignificant.

The BN can use this to try to undermine the support of Anwar and the Opposition. You can be sure it will. This is politics, after all.

This is especially so because Anwar is seen as having powerful friends in the US. So, it will be a blow for his reputation, which the BN will gleefully exploit.

How would this impact the ordinary Malaysian? It is possible that the Najib administration will see this, or project it, as an endorsement of its current policies. So, we may see more of the same.

Under different circumstances, Obama might have arranged for a meeting with Anwar but he now has bigger things on his mind –geopolitics and trade.

The US needs to further cement friendships with Malaysia and other Asian nations to counter the aggressive movements of China in this region. It wants to remain influential in Asia.

Malaysia is a major player in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and getting Kuala Lumpur firmly on its side would be seen as a foreign policy success.

Malaysia and the US, under Najib, enjoy good relations as Najib has repaired the rift created by former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad. So, by not meeting Anwar, Obama may be signalling that he appreciates Najib’s stance.

With most terrorist threats linked to Muslims, and with many Muslim nations being antagonistic towards the US, it would be good to have Muslim nations and Muslim-majority nations like Malaysia as a friend, especially since Malaysia has shown that it can mediate in matters involving Muslims.

The peace treaty signed by the Philippine Government and Muslim rebels in the south of the country has come about in no small measure due to Malaysia’s mediation efforts. And Malaysia has taken a leading role in working out a similar treaty between the Thai Government and Muslim rebels in the south of that country. Obama is likely to praise this during his visit.

But all may not be lost for the Opposition. It is possible that Obama may say something or other that could touch on the state of freedoms and justice in Malaysia. That would be good for the ordinary Malaysian.

I am one of those who hoped Obama would win the US presidency and cheered when he won. One reason is that he is the first non-white president. Another is that he inspired hope in a better world.

Many people said that only in the US could a black man become president in a white-majority nation. But, seriously, such things can only happen if the people are matured and broadminded.

Another nation where we can see this is India: Muslims have been presidents and the current vice-president is a Muslim. A member of one of the smallest communities, the Sikhs, is Prime Minister. An Italian-born woman has a powerful say in India. And India, as we all know, is overwhelmingly Hindu. That shows maturity, broadmindedness, and democracy at work.

Anyway, as US National Security Adviser Susan Rice said: "This trip has a very positive, affirmative agenda and that's how we are looking at it – as an opportunity to solidify and modernize our alliances and partnerships."

I am looking forward to seeing what Obama does and says in Malaysia. Welcome Mr President. May you continue to inspire people.