Erap says Anwar is 'icon' of Malaysian democracy

(Update) Erap says Anwar is 'icon' of Malaysian democracy

By ROY MEDINA
abs-cbnNEWS.com

A dinner with former Philippine Presidents Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada will be among the highlights of the two-day visit of ex-Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to the Philippines.

"We'll have dinner with Cory and discuss our respective country's problems, talk about general views on the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Countries)," Estrada said Thursday in a telephone interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com.

The dinner will be held Friday in Estrada's residence in North Greenhills, San Juan.

In an interview with ANC, Estrada said Anwar and Mrs. Aquino are symbols of democracy in their respective countries.

"I believe, in deputy minister Anwar, he's the icon of democracy in Malaysia, while I consider former President Cory Aquino as the mother of democracy in the Philippines. So I've invited the two of them to have dinner here in my house," Estrada said.

He also compared the experience of Anwar under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his own experience under President Arroyo.

"There is a parallelism between the former deputy prime minister and myself. Both of us were jailed, and his wife and daughter ran and won in the parliament. And my wife and my son won in the elections for the Senate. So, there is somewhat of a parallelism betwen the two of us," Estrada said.

Estrada was under house arrest during his 5-year trial for plunder or large-scale corruption. He was found guilty in September 2007 but was immediately pardoned and ordered released by President Arroyo.

Anwar was jailed starting in 1999 after being found guilty of corruption and sodomy. He was freed in 2004.

"I am just happy I'll see him for the first time, for more than seven years. I will see the former deputy minister together with President Cory Aquino," he said.

Considering the short visit of Anwar, Estrada said he may not be able to take him to his resthouse in Tanay, Rizal which he developed into a small, family resort while serving time.

"No time for that...he will only be here for two days," he said.

A statement from Estrada spokeswoman Margaux Salcedo said Anwar will also attend a forum entitled "Islam, Politics and the Prospects for Peace" at the RCBC Plaza building in Makati.

"This (visit) is primarily for a social visit to old friends, including former President Joseph Estrada, and to attend a forum at the RCBC Makati," Salcedo added.

Salcedo described the friendship of the two former leaders as unique.

"The friendship between Anwar and Estrada is unique because their political careers run parallel lines," she said.

"Anwar is considered the 'voice of democracy in Malaysia' while Erap is considered the 'voice of democracy' in the Philippines," she added.