Anwar is more Christian than Christians

When reports emerged that former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had fractured his hip, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, publicly expressed their prayers for his recovery, noting that he had been admitted to Institut Jantung Negara (IJN) after a fall at home.

At the same time, two Christian brothers offered me their candid feedback: one dismissed it as “wayang kulit” (shadow play), while the other called it “hypocrisy.”

I found myself reflecting: “Anwar seems more Christian than Christians.” I responded to both of them teasingly and diplomatically, “Are you able to read their hearts? I thought only God knows what is in the heart of a man, no?”

I believe they understood that I meant well in trying to point to the Scriptures in how we should respond to the news of Dr Mahathir’s hip fracture — and how we should exercise some grace towards the Prime Minister and his wife, who prayed for their greatest enemy.

A Thorny Relationship

The relationship between Anwar and Mahathir has long been described as “thorny.” As a result of the years of persecution, Anwar’s wife, fondly known as Kak Wan had to take on the leadership role in Parti Keadilan Rakyat, a role which she would gladly relinquish the moment her husband could take over.

Since his dismissal from government, Anwar became the chief victim of Mahathir’s regime. Their disagreements centred on the nation’s coffers, and it was during this period that Malaysians began to grapple with new political vocabulary—nepotism and cronyism.

Mega projects were increasingly seen as benefiting Mahathir’s cronies and family members. Unlike other prime ministerial scandals such as the 1MDB scandal where the evidences are solid, this sparked a louder call for reform, especially after Anwar was imprisoned under questionable judicial proceedings. Fairminded Malaysians started to rally behind the former Opposition leader.

Pragmatic Forgiveness

For two decades, Anwar lived as a victim of injustice.

Yet, despite the deep wounds inflicted, he has shown little outward resentment towards Mahathir—even after becoming Malaysia’s tenth prime minister.

This echoes his response to former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Rahim Noor, who once struck him in the eye while his hands were bound.

Anwar’s posture reflects what might be called pragmatic forgiveness with limits. In other words, forgiveness has been central to his Reformasi identity, but it is not without boundaries.

As the saying goes: “Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names.” Anwar’s behaviour suggests that forgiveness may coexist with political pragmatism, but the olive branch has an expiry date if betrayal continues.

This explains his eventual rupture with Mahathir, though not with Rahim Noor. His rallying cry, “Lawan TETAP Lawan” (“Fight, always fight”), came to define his uneasy relationship with Mahathir.

Reconciling Forgiveness and Divine Justice

Christians often wrestle with the tension between forgiveness and God’s vengeance.

On one hand, Jesus taught: “Forgive your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” On the other, Scripture reminds us: “Vengeance is mine, says the Lord.” (Matthew 5:44).

Does forgiveness mean that wrongdoers escape accountability?

How should we understand scriptures such as Galatians 6:9, which declare that a man shall reap what he sows? Does this imply that one who persecutes you may, upon receiving forgiveness, be released from the ambit of the law?

In the wake of the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old Christian activist was remembered for his unwavering faith and his fearless defense of his political convictions. As a prominent voice for conservative values, His wife said she forgave Kirk’s assassin, but did that mean that the law could no longer take its next course of action?

The fuller counsel of Scripture clarifies the balance:

1. Our duty is forgiveness. When wronged, we forgive so that bitterness does not take root. Unforgiveness breeds resentment, which psychology confirms can manifest in physical and emotional harm.

2. God reserves justice for Himself. Forgiveness does not erase divine recompense. 

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.””

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭19‬ ‭ESV‬‬

It simply frees us from the corrosive burden of vengeance, but the wrongdoers will still have to face the consequences of the law God has instituted. 

Jesus’s teaching merely addressed our correct response to those who set themselves against us:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

— Matthew 5:43–45 (ESV)

3. In short, one can still pray for his enemies but allow the law to take its course without interfering the court processes. Kirk’s assassin will still have to face the consequences of his actions, although Mrs. Kirk has forgiven him.

Closing Thought

Anwar’s journey illustrates the paradox of forgiveness in politics: the ability to extend grace without erasing memory, and the willingness to coexist without surrendering principle.

It is a reminder that forgiveness is not weakness—it is strength tempered by wisdom, leaving ultimate justice in the hands of God.

Sometimes, I wonder if he is more Christian than Christians themselves. It is hoped that with this writing, I would be able to encourage each of you to pray even for the people who have squandered the wealth of this nation for themselves, while knowing that if the Malaysia Anti-Corruption Commission decides to go after them, we have to allow justice to be upheld. If it is found that they are guilty, punishment would have to be meted against them.

This question remains to be answered: if tomorrow, Dr. Mahathir were to die, should Christians rejoice over it, especially since we know how much injustice has done to the people, especially the billions of ringgit that are reportedly taken from the office and given to his cronies and family members.

The answer is in Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭ESV‬‬: 

“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.”

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