Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Mar 1: The problem of corruption is common to both India and Malaysia. I have been coming to India often to discuss and find a solution to the evil, said ex-Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the leader of opposition in his country.

Addressing a press meet on Thursday March 1 during his visit to the city to attend a private function in Puttur, Ibrahim said that last month he met Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi to discuss the problem of corruption.

There is cultural exchange between India and Malaysia. At the same time, corruption is creating havoc in public life, and we must make efforts to get rid of it, he added.

He also lamented that the media in Malaysia does not have full freedom, as it is controlled by the government.

"The media is in government's hand, the opposition's voice is hardly heard. We have to make use of media like social networks and others means to reach the people. I have been relentlessly fighting for media rights. Our efforts are on," he said.

He also said that Hindus, Buddhists and Christians form the minorities in Malaysia, and they are not given equal opportunities like the Muslims who are in majority. "The opposition party has been demanding and working for the rights of minorities. They should be given equal treatment and opportunity in every sphere of life, including education," he said.

Regarding the allegations of sodomy of which he was acquitted last month, he said the charges were politically motivated, and that it all happened because the media was in government's hand and was biased against him as he belongs to the opposition.