BEEN A LONG TIME COMING

Anwar Ibrahim: Who is Malaysia's new prime minister?

"Always regarded as the man who could unite all warring factions, it is fitting that Anwar emerged during a divisive time."

Story by Reuters • Yesterday 

(Reuters) - Malaysia's new prime minister, 75-year-old Anwar Ibrahim, was sworn in on Thursday, bringing to a close his three-decade quest for the job that had eluded him time and again and led to him spending nearly a decade in jail.


Malaysia's PM Ibrahim's swearing-in ceremony in Kuala Lumpur© Thomson Reuters

HOW DID HE RISE TO THE TOP?

As opposition leader, Anwar led tens of thousands of Malaysians in street protests in the 1990s against his mentor-turned-foe Mahathir Mohamad.

Anwar started off as a firebrand Islamic youth leader before joining then prime minister Mahathir's United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which leads the Barisan Nasional alliance.

His strained relationship with the veteran leader shaped Anwar's own career, as well as Malaysia's political landscape, for nearly three decades.

Anwar's appointment as prime minister brings an end to a political crisis after an election on Saturday ushered in an unprecedented hung parliament. While Anwar's progressive bloc won the most seats in parliament, it fell short of a majority.

WHY WAS HE IN JAIL?

Between stints as deputy prime minister in the 1990s and as official prime minister-in-waiting in 2018, Anwar spent nearly a decade in jail for sodomy and corruption on charges he says were politically motivated.

Mahathir had called Anwar his friend and protege, and anointed him his successor, but later, amid criminal charges and disagreements over how to handle the Asian financial crisis in 1998, he said Anwar was unfit to lead "because of his character".

The two buried the hatchet briefly in 2018 to oust from power the political alliance they once belonged to - only to fall out again within two years, ending their 22-month-old government and plunging Malaysia into a period of instability.

WHAT IS HIS MANIFESTO?

Anwar told Reuters in an interview before the election that he would seek "to emphasize governance and anti-corruption, and rid this country of racism and religious bigotry".

For decades, Anwar has called for inclusiveness and an overhaul of the political system in the multi-ethnic country.

About 70% of the population of nearly 33 million comprises ethnic Malays, who are mainly Muslim, and indigenous groups with ethnic Chinese and Indians account for the rest.

Anwar called for the removal of policies favouring Malays and an end to a patronage system that had kept Malaysia's longest ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional, in power.

His rallying cry of 'reformasi', or reforms, resonated nationwide, and is still the main promise of his alliance.

HOW HAVE MALAYSIANS REACTED?

Anwar's supporters expressed hope that their charismatic leader's government would head off a return to historic tension between the ethnic Malay, Muslim majority and ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

"All we want is moderation for Malaysia and Anwar represents that," said a communications manager in Kuala Lumpur, who asked to be identified by her surname Tang.

"We can't have a country that is divided by race and religion as that will set us back another 10 years."

Authorities warned after the weekend vote of a rise in ethnic tension on social media and short video platform TikTok said it was on high alert for content that violated its guidelines.

"Always regarded as the man who could unite all warring factions, it is fitting that Anwar emerged during a divisive time," said political analyst James Chai, a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in neighbouring Singapore.

(Reporting by Malaysia bureau; Writing by Clarence Fernandez; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)

Malaysia's Anwar becomes prime minister, ending decades-long wait

Story by By A. Ananthalakshmi, Mei Mei Chu and Rozanna Latiff • Yesterday 

Malaysia's PM Ibrahim's swearing-in ceremony in Kuala Lumpur© Thomson Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as prime minister on Thursday, capping a three-decade political journey from a protege of veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad to protest leader, a prisoner convicted of sodomy and opposition leader.

His appointment ends five days of unprecedented post-election crisis, but could usher in a new instability with his rival, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, challenging him to prove his majority in parliament.


Malaysia's PM Ibrahim's swearing-in ceremony in Kuala Lumpur© Thomson Reuters

Both men failed to win a majority in a Saturday election, but the constitutional monarch, King Al-Sultan Abdullah, appointed Anwar after speaking to several lawmakers.

Anwar takes over at a challenging time: the economy is slowing and the country is divided after a tight election that pitted Anwar's progressive coalition against Muhyiddin's mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance.



Malaysia's PM Ibrahim's swearing-in ceremony in Kuala Lumpur© Thomson Reuters

Markets surged upon the end of the political deadlock. The ringgit currency posted its best day in two weeks and equities rose 3%.

The 75-year-old Anwar has time and again been denied the premiership despite getting within striking distance over the years: he was deputy prime minister in the 1990s and the official prime minister-in-waiting in 2018.

In between, he spent nearly a decade in jail for sodomy and corruption in what he says were politically motivated charges aimed at ending his career.

The uncertainty over the election threatened to prolong political instability in the Southeast Asian country, which has had three prime ministers in as many years, and risks delaying policy decisions needed to foster economic recovery.


Malaysia's newly appointed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim signs documents after taking the oath during the swearing-in ceremony at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur© Thomson Reuters

Anwar's supporters expressed hope that his government would head off a return to historic tension between the ethnic Malay, Muslim majority and ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

"All we want is moderation for Malaysia and Anwar represents that," said a communications manager in Kuala Lumpur, who asked to be identified by her surname Tang.

"We can't have a country that is divided by race and religion as that will set us back another 10 years."

Anwar told Reuters in an interview before the election that he would seek "to emphasize governance and anti-corruption, and rid this country of racism and religious bigotry" if appointed premier.

His coalition, known as Pakatan Harapan, won the most seats in Saturday's vote with 82, while Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional bloc won 73. They needed 112 - a simple majority - to form a government.


Malaysia's newly appointed PM Ibrahim takes the oath during the swearing-in ceremony at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur© Thomson Reuters

The long-ruling Barisan bloc won only 30 seats - the worst electoral performance for a coalition that had dominated politics since independence in 1957.



Malaysia's newly appointed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim takes part in the swearing-in ceremony at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur© Thomson Reuters

Barisan said on Thursday it would not support a government led by Muhyiddin, though it did not make any reference to Anwar.

Muhyiddin, after Anwar's appointment, asked Anwar to prove his majority in parliament.

POLICE STEP UP SECURITY

Muhyiddin's bloc includes the Islamist party PAS, whose electoral gains raised concern among members of the ethnic Chinese and ethnic Indian communities, most of whom follow other faiths.

Authorities warned after the weekend vote of a rise in ethnic tension on social media and short video platform TikTok said it was on high alert for content that violated its guidelines.

Social media users reported numerous TikTok posts since the election that mentioned a riot in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on May 13, 1969, in which about 200 people were killed, days after opposition parties supported by ethnic Chinese voters made inroads in an election.



Malaysia's PM Ibrahim's swearing-in ceremony in Kuala Lumpur© Thomson Reuters

Police told social media users to refrain from "provocative" posts and said they were setting up 24-hour check-points on roads throughout the country to ensure public peace and safety.



Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim attends a news conference in Kuala Lumpur© Thomson Reuters

The decision on the prime minister came down to King Al-Sultan Abdullah, after both Anwar and Muhyiddin missed his Tuesday afternoon deadline to put together a ruling alliance.

The constitutional monarch plays a largely ceremonial role but can appoint a premier he believes will command a majority in parliament.

Malaysia has a unique constitutional monarchy in which kings are chosen in turn from the royal families of nine states to reign for a five-year term.

As premier, Anwar will have to address soaring inflation and slowing growth as the economy recovers from the coronavirus pandemic, while calming ethnic tensions.

The most immediate issue will be the budget for next year, which was tabled before the election was called but has yet to be passed.

Anwar will also have to negotiate agreements with lawmakers from other blocs to ensure he can retain majority support in parliament.

"Anwar is appointed at a critical juncture in Malaysian history, where politics is most fractured, recovering from a depressed economy and a bitter COVID memory," said James Chai, visiting fellow at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

"Always regarded as the man who could unite all warring factions, it is fitting that Anwar emerged during a divisive time."

(Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi, Mei Mei Chu and Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor, Robert Birsel)

Malaysia's Anwar begins work as PM after polarising election

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim is expected to start discussions on forming his cabinet on Friday as he begins work as prime minister at a challenging time, with the economy slowing and the country deeply split after a close election.


Malaysia's newly appointed Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim greets his supporters as he leaves his news conference in Sungai Long© Thomson Reuters

Anwar, 75, was sworn in as premier on Thursday, capping a three-decade political journey from a protege of veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad to protest leader, a prisoner convicted of sodomy and opposition figurehead.

Anwar, who was appointed by Malaysia's king following an inconclusive election, said that the people of Malaysia had long been awaiting change.

"We will never compromise on good governance, the anti-corruption drive, judicial independence and the welfare of ordinary Malaysians," he said late on Thursday.

Anwar's appointment ends five days of unprecedented post-election crisis but could usher in further instability with his rival, former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, challenging him to prove his majority in parliament.

Both men's coalitions failed to win a majority in Saturday's election, but Malaysia's constitutional monarch, King Al-Sultan Abdullah, appointed Anwar after speaking to several lawmakers.

The campaign pitted Anwar's progressive, multi-ethnic coalition against Muhyiddin's mostly conservative ethnic-Malay, Muslim alliance.

Anwar had previously been denied the premiership despite getting within striking distance over the years. In between, he spent nearly a decade in jail for sodomy and corruption in what he says were politically motivated charges.

The uncertainty over the election had threatened to exacerbate instability in Malaysia, which has had three prime ministers in as many years, and also risked delaying policy decisions needed to foster economic recovery.

"Anwar’s tasks have just started, to unite a very polarised and divided nation, based on race and religion," said former lawmaker and coalition ally Lim Kit Siang.

Markets surged on Thursday on the end of political deadlock, but investors will be monitoring how Anwar manages the aftermath of the election.

Malaysian stocks on Friday morning were flat, after 4% gains the previous day, while the ringgit extended gains, up nearly 1%.

ALLIANCE OF SUPPORT

Anwar's supporters expressed hope that his government would avert a return to historic tensions between the ethnic Malay, Muslim majority and ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities.

Anwar's coalition, known as Pakatan Harapan, won the most seats in Saturday's vote with 82, while Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional bloc won 73. They needed 112 - a simple majority - to form a government.

The long-ruling Barisan bloc won only 30 seats - the worst electoral performance for a coalition that had dominated politics since independence in 1957.

Anwar said Barisan and an alliance of parties from Malaysian Borneo had pledged support, giving him a convincing majority. He indicated that there would be two deputy prime ministers - one from each of the blocs.

Muhyiddin's bloc includes the Islamist party PAS, whose electoral gains raised concern within the ethnic Chinese and Indian communities, most of whose members follow other faiths.

Authorities have warned of a rise in ethnic tension since the vote on social media and short video platform TikTok said this week was on high alert for content that violated its guidelines.

The most immediate issue facing Anwar beyond picking a cabinet will be the budget for next year, which was proposed before the election was called but has yet to be passed.

Anwar said he would convene parliament on Dec. 19 for a vote of confidence to prove his majority in the lower house.

(Reporting by A. Ananthalakshmi, Mei Mei Chu and Rozanna Latiff; Writing by Ed Davies; Editing by Robert Birsel)

US congratulates Anwar Ibrahim on taking office as Malaysia’s new prime minister

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has congratulated Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim on his appointment as prime minister following elections in the Asian country, while expressing Washington's desire to work with Kuala Lumput for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific region.


Archive - Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim - Mustaqim Khairuddin/BERNAMA/dpa© Provided by News 360

"On behalf of the United States, I congratulate the people of Malaysia on their national elections and Anwar Ibrahim on his election as prime minister. Millions of Malaysians cast their votes, many for the first time, making the 15th general election a demonstration of the power of democracy," he said.

Thus, he noted that "the United States and Malaysia have forged a strong relationship, a comprehensive partnership, rooted in close economic, people-to-people and security ties." "We look forward to deepening our friendship and cooperation based on our shared democratic principles, respect for human rights and the rule of law," he added.

"We remain committed to working with Malaysia to advance a free and open, connected, prosperous, secure and resilient Indo-Pacific region," Blinken said, according to a statement released by the State Department.

Blinken's remarks come after Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as Malaysia's prime minister after being appointed to the post by the king, Abullah of Pahang, following several days of talks to decide the formation of the government after weekend elections that resulted in a parliament without clear majorities that threatened political deadlock.

The politician was former President Mahathir Mohamad's 'number two' during the 1990s when he was prime minister, although the two drifted apart during the financial crisis that shook the continent between 1997 and 1999. After that, he was dismissed from the government party and created the Reform movement, although he was arrested weeks later and convicted on charges of "sodomy" and corruption. After being released in 2004, he was jailed again for "sodomy" in 2015, with Najib Razak in power.

The politician received a pardon from the Royal House in 2018 that allowed him to leave prison ahead of schedule, after which he announced his return to politics and returned in 2020 his position as opposition leader, from which he has led the efforts of the Alliance of Hope coalition to prevail in the last elections.