Anwar turns 79 today, undergoes two-day routine medical tests

 

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who first entered politics more than four decades ago, turns 79 today, marking another milestone in a political journey that has taken him from student activism to the country’s highest office.

According to his senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah, Anwar is undergoing two days of routine medical tests and procedures.

"Let us pray that all of the prime minister's tests and procedures will be facilitated and that he will be blessed with long-lasting health so that he can return to carrying out his duties as usual in the near future, God willing," he said in a statement.

Nashrul did not elaborate on the nature of the examinations or procedures.

Yesterday, Anwar visited Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof and former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who are both receiving treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN).

Fadillah is scheduled to undergo heart bypass surgery.

Fadillah Yusof

In a separate Facebook post, Selangor exco Fahmi Ngah extended his birthday wishes to Anwar.

"May Allah continue to grant health, strength, and wisdom to Anwar in leading the country and carrying out the responsibility for the well-being of all Malaysians," the PKR Seri Setia assemblyperson said.

Bernama reported that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also prayed for Anwar’s health and well-being.

“I pray for my brother, Anwar, that the medical procedures he is undergoing go smoothly and that he is blessed with good health.

“May Allah SWT ease his affairs and enable him to resume his duties in the near future,” he said on X.

Anwar’s rise to highest office

Before entering politics, Anwar was a student leader and founded the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim). After joining Umno, he won the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat in Penang in 1982.

Born on Aug 10, 1947, in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Anwar enjoyed a meteoric rise through the political ranks, becoming deputy prime minister in 1993 at the age of 47.

Widely regarded as then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s heir apparent, Anwar’s political fortunes changed dramatically when their relationship soured amid the 1998 Asian financial crisis.

His sacking from the government, followed by his conviction and imprisonment on charges of sexual misconduct and abuse of power, triggered mass protests and catalysed the "reformasi" movement, one of the defining political movements in Malaysia’s modern political history.

Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail during the ‘reformasi’ movement protest in 1998

Anwar has consistently maintained that the charges, like the second sodomy charge brought against him in 2008 that eventually led to his second imprisonment, were part of a political conspiracy orchestrated by his rivals.

After decades of political struggle, imprisonment, and two failed bids for power, Anwar finally became prime minister following the 2022 general election, when his Pakatan Harapan coalition allied with Umno to break a political deadlock that had left the country without a clear governing bloc. - Mkini