Parallel lives

Cosy comrades: Hishamuddin and Anwar were student leaders during the 1974 clampdown on student activism but they were in different years at university. — Courtesy of Dr Syed Husin Ali

AT first glance, Hishamuddin Rais and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, appear to have lived parallel lives. Student rebels and political detainees, their paths have come together a number of times since both were at the forefront of the student leadership during the 1974 clampdown by the government.

Most recently Hishamuddin was part of the Pakatan Harapan GE14 campaign which was fought at least partially on the premise that Anwar would be freed from prison and eventually appointed prime minister.