On the 160th birthday of Jose Rizal, Malaysian opposition leader and Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim paid tribute to the Philippine National Hero, referring to him as “one of the greatest Malayans, and a true Asian Renaissance Man.”
“Dr. Rizal’s knowledge and scholarship was beyond measure and his contributions as a writer, thinker, and artist was titanic,” Anwar said.
“He is the ultimate demonstration of how education can take anyone – regardless of their race, religion, or identity – and empower them to seize their moment in history,” he further added.
The Malaysian politician likewise noted that Rizal was not so much a “revolutionary” as he was a “reformer.”
“He (Rizal) himself denounced violent uprisings. Without a doubt, his efforts helped to launch the
Philippines’ fight for independence from Spain, but his pen was mightier than the Spanish sword,” Anwar said.
“While he advocated for the union of the Malay lands against the dominion of colonialist rule, he considered education as the best tool to achieve this, and ensure the survival and prosperity of societies”.
Anwar emphasized the relevance and value of Rizal’s message in the present day.
“As we face a growing need for international cooperation and regional partnership, we should all take
a page from Dr. Rizal’s words and example. His message remains important as we still find ourselves plagued by abject poverty and gross injustices in Southeast Asia and abroad to the wider world,” he said.
