Current:Home > ContactA Year in Power: Malaysian premier Anwar searches for support as frustration rises over slow reform -FinanceMind
A Year in Power: Malaysian premier Anwar searches for support as frustration rises over slow reform
View
Date:2025-04-16 02:06:58
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Marking his first anniversary of coming to power, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahm admitted he was still struggling to win over ethnic Malay votes and acknowledged frustration over the slow pace of reforms. But he defended his unity government, saying it was now politically stable and able to fully focus on bolstering the economy and improving the people’s welfare.
In a candid interview with private television network TV3 late Tuesday, Anwar said that while he understood discontentment because of the slow pace of his government’s reform plan, “we must navigate wisely and prioritize political stability.”
Anwar, 76, whose sacking and imprisonment in the 1990s led to massive street protests and a reform movement that rose into a major political force, has been a long-time opposition leader. He clinched victory last year in the country’s general elections.
Despite a two-thirds majority in Parliament, Anwar’s unity government has been plagued by the powerful opposition Islamic bloc that further expanded its influence in state elections earlier this year. The Perikatan Nasional (PN), underpinned by the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, now rules four of Malaysia’s 13 states.
In the interview, Anwar accused the opposition of falsely portraying his government as too liberal and sidelining Malays, who account for two-thirds of Malaysia’s 33 million people, making it difficult for him to reach out to the community.
“There is some truth to it (that Malays do not support the government) but it is because they have been inundated by claims that the government isn’t Malay and is against Islam,” Anwar said. “This is disgusting political slander.”
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainuddin claimed this week that Malays now viewed the PN bloc as their preferred political vehicle after his bloc garnered a landslide by-election victory on Saturday. He said the win was “a first-anniversary gift to (the premier) to mark the failure of his administration.”
Anwar said — in his interview —that victory was in an opposition stronghold state, and noted his government also won two other by-elections earlier, adding that the opposition was “delirious” for thinking it could wrest federal power.
“Our strength in Parliament is clear and cannot be threatened,” he said. “With this strength, it’s time to focus on developing the economy, raise the people’s welfare... and keep the negative elements away.”
Critics say Anwar’s focus in the past year has been overshadowed by his efforts to stay in power amid advances by the opposition. His government has taken steps to strengthen institutions and Parliament but has yet to deliver on many promised reforms, including limiting the premier’s tenure to two terms and repealing draconian laws such as the Sedition Act.
Anwar has long sold himself as being anti-corruption. But in December 2022, he appointed himself as finance minister in his new cabinet, garnering a wave of criticism. Some have also slammed prosecutors for dropping dozens of graft charges against his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in September.
However, Anwar stressed — during his anniversary interview Monday — that his focus on banishing corruption remained strong and supported by all parties in his unity government.
Facing an economic slowdown, a weak currency and worsening race relations, analysts said Anwars’s year in power was a mixed bag as he faced growing public distrust.
Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid, a political science professor at the University Science of Malaysia, said Anwar had given Malaysia a more prominent voice on the international stage and done reasonably well in economic management given that the world is reeling from a global slowdown, but he remains dogged by domestic politics.
“The key challenge facing Anwar is stabilizing the economy amid a strengthening dollar. It is how Anwar can convince the Malays that he means well for them and doesn’t seek to usurp their constitutional right,” he said.
Bridget Welsh, a Southeast Asia political expert, said Anwar’s greatest achievement was “political survival.”
”He has stayed in power bringing a semblance of stability to local politics after five difficult years of instability and political uncertainty,” she said in an article on her blog.
Before Anwar, Malaysia has had four prime ministers since 2018.
But Welsh said the stability came at a cost of continued political patronage in the management of government bodies, with a mentality of “business as usual.”
“The bargain for power has left reform behind,” she said. “What is clear is that the mode of political insecurity runs deep... despite a strong majority not in need of the numbers, Anwar is still searching for support.”
veryGood! (2)
Related
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Northern Taurid meteor shower hits peak activity this week: When and where to watch
- 'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate
- Wisconsin’s high court to hear oral arguments on whether an 1849 abortion ban remains valid
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Taylor Swift touches down in Kansas City as Chiefs take on Denver Broncos
- Are Ciara Ready and Russell Wilson Ready For Another Baby? She Says…
- California voters reject proposed ban on forced prison labor in any form
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Red Velvet, Please
Ranking
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- California voters reject measure that would have banned forced prison labor
- Is Veterans Day a federal holiday? Here's what to know for November 11
- These Yellowstone Gift Guide Picks Will Make You Feel Like You’re on the Dutton Ranch
- The city of Chicago is ordered to pay nearly $80M for a police chase that killed a 10
- Pete Rose fans say final goodbye at 14-hour visitation in Cincinnati
- NFL playoff picture Week 10: Lions stay out in front of loaded NFC field
- NASCAR Championship race live updates, how to watch: Cup title on the line at Phoenix
Recommendation
A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
1 dead, 2 children injured in wrong-way crash; driver suspected of DWI: Reports
Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Reveals Name of Baby Daughter After Missing Film's LA Premiere for Her Birth
A Pipeline Runs Through It
'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
Deion Sanders addresses trash thrown at team during Colorado's big win at Texas Tech
Will Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul end in KO? Boxers handle question differently
Jared Goff stats: Lions QB throws career-high 5 INTs in SNF win over Texans