The Malaysian people are very much aware of the importance of a capable and honest leadership in bringing about political change.  This is why they want to know what sort of leadership the Barisan Alternatif will provide.

The Barisan Alternatif seeks to develop a collective leadership.  The collective leadership we envisage will be drawn mainly from the four political parties that constitute the Barisan Alternatif and other parties, especially from Sabah and Sarawak, linked directly or indirectly to the Alternatif.  It will also include individuals without any party affiliation -- from academia, the professions, the public services, religious bodies, business, labour and the NGO movement -- who can contribute effectively to the creation of a just Malaysian society.

Integrity, ability, dedication and courage, apart from knowledge and vision, would be among the principal attributes of our collective leadership.  It will be a truly national leadership incorporating elements from the different states that make up the Malaysian Federation.  While there will be a Malay core, reflecting historical realities, our collective leadership will be genuinely multi-ethnic, both in terms of its composition and its orientation.

A collective leadership will also reflect the underlying values of democratic governance.  In a democracy, power is shared and authority is derived from popular consent.  Only when a leadership operates on the basis of consultation and consensus would it embody the spirit of democratic rule.  A collective leadership rather than a single dominant, powerful leader is, for that reason, more in accord with democratic principles.

Within this framework of collective, democratic leadership, the Barisan Alternatif proposes as its candidate for Prime Ministership, Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim.  Dato' Seri Anwar not only possesses outstanding qualities of leadership but also has vast experience in government having served in various cabinet positions for more than a decade.  He was, besides, the Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998 and was even acting Prime Minister for a while.

Of course, the Barisan Alternatif realises that even if it wins the coming General Election, Anwar cannot assume the Prime Ministership immediately, given his six year jail sentence that began in April 1999.  While upholding the rule of law and protecting the sanctity of the judicial process, the Barisan Alternatif will ensure that justice is done to Anwar. Towards this end, a judicial inquiry will be held into the political conspiracy which has led to Anwar's imprisonment. Once justice is delivered, he will be able to lead the nation, God willing.

As an immediate step however, the Barisan Alternatif, if it comes to power, will, in accordance with the Malaysian Constitution, endorse as Prime Minister anyone from its ranks who commands the support of the majority of the members of the Dewan Rakyat. The interim Prime Minister will pave the way for the emergence of a collective leadership committed to justice for all Malaysians.

YB Dato' Fadzil Mohd. Noor           YB Lim Kit Siang
President                                          Secretary-General
Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS)           Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP)

Dr. Syed Husin Ali                         Dr. Chandra Muzaffar
President                                       Deputy President
Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM)        Parti Keadilan Nasional (keADILan)

20 September 1999