Obama’s hidden message to his friends?

Did Barack Obama heed advice with regard to him being pally with Datuk Seri Najib Razak?

The Malaysian prime minister was in New York recently for the United Nations General Assembly.

A week eaelier, Nurul Izzah Anwar arrived in the US telling Washington to "step away from the current administration and its scandals, before it’s too late".

“You are looking at a government of Malaysia, despite their Western rhetoric, that is fanning extremism, racist sentiments, religious polarisation in their own country which is going to be most detrimental to Malaysia and the region”, said Nurul as quoted by Bloomberg.

But the Najib camp would (if not already) say such remarks are expected of the opposition. Fine.

Now what about the influential Washington Post .

When Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sent to jail for sodomy earlier this year, the paper urged Washington not to invite Najib to the White House because “a leader who has just jailed his main opponent should not be received at the White House”.

And as recent as September 18, The Washington Post wrote that “Malaysia’s prime minister is a questionable ally”, pointing out, “Mr Najib has been evolving into an increasingly unseemly pal”, and went on to list his “sins”.

According to the paper, "Mr Najib may cooperate with US intelligence agencies and the trade representative but his repression and pandering to racists and Muslim extremists risks destroying the foundations of the alliance."

The next time Obama meets his golfing buddy, said the Post, “he ought to make that clear”.

So did he?

Based on media reports, the US president did not meet Najib. Nor was Najib invited to the White House “for a chat”.

Of course, there are ways to convey messages (if the US president wants it conveyed), which we are not privy to.

Hence we only have Obama’s speech at the UN Assembly to bank on, so to speak.

True, the speech highlighted Syria. And Russia. Naturally, Iran and China as well. And yes, Isis. But it was also about democracy.

“I recognise that democracy is going to take different forms in different parts of the world. The very idea of a people governing themselves depends upon government giving expression to their unique culture, their unique history, their unique experiences but some universal truths are self evident.

"No person wants to be imprisoned for peaceful worship. No woman should ever be abused with impunity or a girl barred from going to school," Obama told the assembly.

Wouldn’t you agree he was talking about Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in Syria? And Isis, Taliban and Boko Haram too?

Was there a swipe at close ally Saudi Arabia as well? 

There’s more.

“The freedom to peacefully petition those in power without fear of arbitrary laws, these are not ideas of one country or one culture. They are fundamental to human progress.”

And said Obama: “I realise that in many parts of the world there is a different view – a belief that strong leadership must tolerate no dissent. I hear it not only  from America’s adversaries but privately at least, I also hear it from some of our friends”.

Who would the “friends” be?

Nevertheless, Obama said he disagreed with such a view, outlining that he believed "a government that suppresses peaceful dissent is not showing strength: it is showing weakness and it is showing fear.

"History shows that regimes who fear their own people will eventually crumble but strong institutions built on consent of the governed endure long after any one individual is gone."

To Obama, democracy – inclusive democracy – makes a country stronger.

"When opposition parties can seek power peacefully through the ballot, a country draws upon new ideas.

"When a free media can inform the public, corruption and abuse are exposed and can be rooted out.

"When civil society thrives, communities can solve problems that governments cannot necessarily solve alone.

"When immigrants are welcomed, countries are more productive and more vibrant.

"When girls can go to school and get a job and pursue unlimited opportunity, that’s when a country realises its full potential".

That’s what he said.

To Allan West, former US Congressman and now political commentator, Obama’s speech at the UN had a hidden message “to our enemies”.

Was there a hidden message to friends too? To Malaysia? In particular, Najib?

Feel free to read between the lines. To interpret is also part of democracy. Right? – October 3, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.