New delhi: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the plan for a bilateral meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay remains on the card and that it can take place either in Putrajaya or Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in an exclusive interview with Thanthi TV, Anwar dismissed speculations that Chennai did not reciprocate a proposed Malaysia visit leg. The Prime Minister, who is currently in India, was supposed to make a working visit to Chennai first after attending the 18th BRICS Leaders Summit before heading to Keralam, another state in South India. However, Chennai was dropped at the eleventh hour.
Anwar clarified that it was not true that Chennai did not reciprocate. From the beginning, the Chief Minister's office had communicated their efforts to adjust Vijay's schedule due to prior commitments, and Anwar himself had a limited timeframe between visits to New Delhi, Keralam, and the Maldives. Despite these constraints, both leaders attempted to accommodate each other, with Vijay having a major investment mission and other programs planned. Ultimately, Anwar decided to proceed to Keralam and the Maldives, acknowledging that the Tamil Nadu visit could not proceed at the time.
The Prime Minister emphasized that both sides made efforts to align their calendars amid prior commitments, and goodwill remains strong. During a wide-ranging conversation, Anwar offered a candid appraisal of Vijay, noting his early momentum and appeal among young voters while urging a long-term approach to leadership anchored in values and practical wisdom.
Anwar was one of the first foreign leaders to congratulate Vijay, describing him as a "new voice of reason, of principles, and of good governance." He advised Vijay that the challenge in power is to sustain wisdom and navigate the real-world battles that differ from initial goals. Anwar was also touched by Vijay's zeal for reforms and addressing poverty and corruption issues.
The Prime Minister shared that sustaining good governance requires navigating complex pressures without losing sight of core principles. He also revealed that he had shared his book with Vijay, highlighting Vijay's openness to learning and reflection. Anwar praised Vijay's listening ability as a promising trait in a climate where quick applause often overshadows reflection.
In the interview, Anwar underscored the civilizational significance of Tamil Nadu, from the moral clarity of Tirukkural to the educational power of cinema, arguing that Vijay's cultural influence carries diplomatic potential. For Malaysia, where the majority of ethnic Indians are Tamils, Vijay's popularity represents an opportunity to deepen people-to-people ties.