Malaysia PM Anwar vows faster reforms after electoral defeats
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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he is satisfied with the current level of political stability after three years at the helm, and will pursue reforms more aggressively.
ST PHOTO: HADI AZMI
- Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim pledges faster reforms and stronger anti-corruption efforts after electoral losses and party splits.
- Despite 6% economic growth, Anwar admits public frustration over rising living costs and calls for staged reforms.
- Internal party conflicts and potential DAP withdrawal threaten government stability, with Anwar planning to address issues at PKR congress.
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AYER KEROH, Melaka – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Aug 15 said he will speed up the pace of reforms and strengthen an anti-corruption drive as he seeks to rebuild public support after a string of electoral defeats and party departures.
Anwar acknowledged shortcomings by his administration that have led to frustration among Malaysians.
While the economy grew 6 per cent last quarter and unemployment is low, the Prime Minister said he “won’t deny” that Malaysians faced higher living costs.
“The economic numbers are not winning the hearts of the people,” Anwar said at the annual congress of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).
Anwar is PKR president.
“I know some people are demanding, but reforms cannot be rushed; they have to be done in stages” and must take into account other parties in the ruling coalition, he said.
PKR and the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, led by Anwar, have fared poorly in three consecutive state elections in Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. The party lost control of Negeri Sembilan in August, going from holding the chief minister’s office to just two seats in the 36-seat assembly.
Barisan Nasional (BN), Anwar’s federal government partner and electoral rival, and its allies won super majorities in Johor and Negeri Sembilan at PH’s expense.
“The message of the people has been clear” following losses in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, Anwar said in Melaka state, which is due to hold its local election by January.
Anwar, 79, who was earlier reported to be considering calling a snap general election as soon as October, has indicated he is not in a rush to go to the polls after the recent setbacks.
The national poll is due by February 2028.
Anwar said he is satisfied with the current level of political stability after three years at the helm, and will pursue reforms more aggressively.
He pledged to scrutinise any wrongdoing within the Federal Land Development Authority – Malaysia’s agricultural development agency – following an ongoing mismanagement probe of Muslim pilgrimage fund Tabung Haji.
He also promised to repeal a law that provides oversight of public universities to widen the democratic space, but did not provide details.
Anwar is due to speak again on Aug 16 at the close of the PKR congress, where he said he will address concerns that are brought up by party members during the gathering.
Anwar faces another potential test on Aug 16.
The Democratic Action Party (DAP), PH’s biggest component, will decide at its annual congress whether to leave its government posts and support Anwar only from the backbenches.
DAP has five Cabinet ministers in Anwar’s administration and such a move would force him to reshuffle his Cabinet again and potentially hand more portfolios to BN.
The recent state electoral disappointments have been compounded by turmoil within PKR.
Former party deputy president Rafizi Ramli, ex-Cabinet minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, and three-term lawmaker Wong Chen have all left their elected positions to be part of a new challenger, Bersama.
At least two other lawmakers have also had their constituency funding allocations cut off.
The internal rift traces back to 2025, when the influential Rafizi lost the party deputy presidency to Anwar’s daughter Nurul Izzah in a controversial contest marred by allegations of vote tampering.
Earlier in August, Nurul Izzah said she had asked to step aside from her duties as deputy president to further her studies.
The party’s central leadership approved a temporary break and vice-president Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will assume the duties during her absence. BLOOMBERG
