Dr Mahathir's 'unmitigated disaster'

Anwar is serving sentences totalling 15 years

By South-East Asia correspondent Simon Ingram

Singapore's senior statesman, Lee Kuan Yew, has accused Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammed of making serious mistakes in his handling of the dismissal and detention of his then deputy Anwar Ibrahim.

[Mahathir] made several errors of judgement, which I felt were most unfortunate

Lee Kuan Yew

Mr Lee, who holds the title of Senior Minister, was speaking during his first visit to Malaysia in 10 years.

It is rare for Asian leaders to voice public criticism of the way their peers handle internal political issues, but Lee Kuan Yew and Dr Mahathir, despite sharing many personal characteristics and views, have a tense personal relationship stretching back many years.

Lee Kuan Yew: Feels sorry for both sides

Speaking on the final day of a rare visit to Kuala Lumpur, Mr Lee spoke bluntly about Dr Mahathir's dismissal of his then deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, in September 1998 - an event which triggered a period of unusual political turmoil in Malaysia.

'Disaster'

Mr Lee said that among several unfortunate errors of judgement, the Malaysian prime minister allowed Mr Anwar to be detained under the Internal Security Act rather than on straightforward criminal charges.

I think Dr Mahathir paid a very heavy price, and I feel sorry for him

Lee Kuan Yew

In addition, Mr Lee said Dr Mahathir failed to set up an immediate commission of inquiry into the beating Mr Anwar received shortly after his arrest.

The two-year saga, he concluded, was an "unmitigated disaster" for which Dr Mahathir had paid a heavy price.

Mr Lee said he felt sorry for the Malaysian leader, but many will suspect that his comments reflect his well-known concern about the boost which the Anwar affair has given to Malaysia's pro-Islamist opposition and the possible long-term effects on multi-racial Singapore.

In an interview earlier this week, Mr Lee said Mr Anwar would remain what he termed an icon for Malaysia's main Islamist party, PAS.

Mr Anwar was sentenced to nine years this month for sodomy and is already serving six years for corruption.

He claims the charges were fabricated as part of a political conspiracy to topple him.