16 months in, we expect more from Anwar

 

 I will be as fair as possible to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in this article. It’s important for an independent writer like me to be balanced and not prejudiced against any political leader at the top, Anwar included.

Let me start by declaring that I was a staunch supporter of Pakatan Harapan going into the 14th general election in 2018. Many of my friends and associates were supporters of the opposition as well.

Anwar was made to wait for another general election before he finally reached the pinnacle of power when he was appointed the 10th prime minister on Nov 24, 2022.

I rejoiced with many Harapan supporters when Anwar became PM, despite the just-concluded 15th general election having produced a hung Parliament.

I was also delighted that GPS, the governing coalition in my homeland, Sarawak, had also decided to join the unity government as advised by the king.

Sarawak has to be part of the federal government for better coordination and cooperation with Putrajaya. Fadillah Yusof’s appointment as a deputy prime minister was a bonus for Sarawak.

Disappointed and disillusioned

Sixteen months in, my honest assessment of Anwar’s premiership is this - I have to say that I feel somewhat disappointed and disillusioned with his performance.

Malaysians expect more from Anwar. It is not wrong to have a high expectation of Anwar as his promised reforms resonate with Malaysians, particularly after the 1MDB fiasco and the financial mess of Najib Abdul Razak’s nine long years in office.

Anwar must now realise that his honeymoon is over. He has to take stock of his past 16 months as premier; be honest with his failings and avoid bragging about whatever little is worth highlighting.

Right from the start, I was very supportive of Anwar and wanted to see him do well as the nation’s chief executive. I had written several articles, including calling for fence-sitters to back Anwar and give him ample time to deliver, among other appeals.

In February last year, I confidently declared that “I believe Anwar will not steal” and I still trust that he will not be corrupt.

However, hearing murmurs recently of the prime minister placing his “people” in certain companies bidding for huge contracts with the government has created some uneasiness and, understandably so.

Let me reiterate what I wrote in this column then with this message to the prime minister: “Don’t you dare touch a single sen which is not yours to take, Anwar. The whole of Malaysia is depending on you to fight corruption just as you promised to when you took office.”

And I must add this here: “Please ensure that you do not allow your family members, cronies or those in your inner circle to be involved in sleazy deals with the government.”

Many of us must be glad that Anwar had entered the New Year, 14 months ago, with a pledge that he would be going after those who stole from the nation’s coffers while in office.

The prime minister said the government would ensure the recovery of at least some of the billions of ringgit that were “unloaded” by former leaders.

I have to believe that our 10th prime minister means business and like many of you, I’m praying that Anwar’s anti-graft crusade will succeed.

To the prime minister’s credit, that is all good, as his anti-corruption drive is still in place.

Reminder for Anwar

However, Anwar must be reminded now and again that he came to power based on his promise to bring about much-needed reforms and changes.

This is because there are many who have started criticising Anwar, saying that the prime minister’s reforms, for all intents and purposes, are dead. He has also been accused of re-entrenching the existence of ethnic and religious divides.

“For Anwar, despite his engagement in philosophy, political expediency to stay in power is the hallmark of the present regime,” a critic wrote in a national news portal.

Despite my belief that Anwar could still be serious about his promised reforms, I also think that some of the criticisms against the PM are not totally invalid.

As for me, I don’t think that Anwar has handled the sock-gate controversy satisfactorily. He has allowed a recalcitrant young politician to get away with inciting racial and religious tension big time, by doing almost nothing. Till today, the prime minister has not ticked off the Umno Youth leader by name.

Then, Anwar’s refusal to comment on an alleged royal “addendum order” for Najib to undergo house arrest, seems off-track too.

Somehow, I can agree with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin when he said Anwar would be an “idiot” prime minister if he had no idea about the alleged supplementary order, which was said to have been issued by the former king.

Another issue which I have with the prime minister is his declaration on April 15 that “Malaysia backs Iranian drone attacks on Israel”.

Anwar has described the attack by Iran as a “legitimate act” to the “barbarous” attack by Tel Aviv. I’m very disturbed by such a statement from the PM.

As a Malaysian, I’m worried for my country as it seems that my prime minister has now descended into a warmonger.

I wish to declare that the prime minister does not speak for me, a Malaysian citizen, on this support for the drone attacks. I abhor violence in all its forms and intents.

I hope I have struck a balance in this quick evaluation of Anwar’s last 16 months in office as PM.

Criticism helps hold leaders accountable and highlights areas for improvement, while praise acknowledges their successes and encourages continued positive actions.

I earnestly hope that I have been fair and objective, recognising both Anwar’s strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the day, all of us want our top leaders to succeed and excel in their duties and responsibilities at the helm of the nation. - Mkini

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is a veteran Sarawak editor and heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS). He can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.