Corruption, Cronyism and Clamp-down are also Asian Values 

THE REGIME IN MALAYSIA 

The organisation of a state visit amid the turmoil of street demonstrations, rioting and baton-wielding repression is a grave embarrassment, to the hosts and, more acutely, to the hapless guests. Former President Gorbachev's ground-breaking reconciiation with Beijing was completely overshadowed by the rising tensions in Tiananmen Square. The Queen's visit to Malaysia has coincided with - perhaps even prompted - the outburst of popular anger at the dismissal of Anwar Ibrahim, disgust with institutionalised corruption and resentment of the high-handed leadership of Mahathir Mohamad. Robin Cook is right to remain at the Queen's side throughout the visit; indeed, he might be justified in advising her to end her visit altogether. 

Dr Mahathir has only himself to blame for his embarrassment. Since the whirlwind struck Asia's once booming economies, his prickly reactions have exacerbated Malaysia's vulnerability. Casting blame everywhere but where it belonged, he has castigated the West, international bankers, speculators, Jews and enemies of Malaysia without once acknowledging that domestic corruption, crony capitalism, hubris and the stiffling lack of political debate were as much to blame for the ringgit's woes as the assault by the financial markets. For all his attempts to censor the news, his flawed leadership has been increasingly clear to most Malaysians. They have compared his imprudent and intemperate outbursts with the conciliatory, measured pronouncements of Anwar Ibrahim - and concluded that Dr Mahathir's deputy is the better politician. 

Paranoia has, for 17 years, been such an evident characteristic of Dr Mahathir's administration that his suspicion of his former finance minister comes as no surprise. Indeed Mr Anwar, who was expected to succeed but may have tired of playing the loyal Dauphin, hastened his dismissal by increasingly frank talk of the Government's failings and courted his arrest by bringing his supporters on to the streets. Dr Mahathir's vengeance is chilling. In true Stalinist fashion, he attempted first to blacken his opponent with charges of sexual misconduct, calculated to undermine support among the pious Muslims who constitute Mr Anwar's political base. Then he ordered his arrest under the colonial-era emergency regulations that require neither charge nor hearing nor trial, regulations dating from the communist insurgency that should long ago have been scrapped. 

Mr Anwar has grounds to fear for his safety. The Government must reason that specious statements about "unforeseen circumstances" will forestall protests while Malaysia remains in the spotlight of the Commonwealth Games and the Queen's visit. But when the guests have returned home, the clamp-down could be wide-ranging and unpleasant. 

It is also likely to be effective. Dr Mahathir is still associated with a period of unprecedented growth, and for many his authoritarian style is a small price to pay for prosperity. Mr Anwar's protest may be containable at home. But Malaysia's partners abroad would do well to look again at the regime with which they do business. The Queen and Mr Cook are constrained by the rules of hospitality. But on his return the Foreign Secretary should make clear what he thinks of Dr Mahathir's version of Asian values.