Asian Angle | Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim must tread carefully to heal nation divided by race, inequality
- In addition to a confidence vote on December 19, Anwar faces a delicate balance of addressing criticism towards his cabinet, tackling corruption and cutting red tape
- Malaysians will also monitor how Anwar tackles the woes of the underclass that is closely associated with Malay-Muslim voters
Among his first moves was to forgo his prime minister’s salary. While a populist decision that will not tackle inequality and high rising prices, it is nevertheless a campaign promise fulfilled. This symbolic move though signals that he is sensitive to the struggles facing ordinary Malaysians.
In this age of social media and in the wake of recent corruption scandals, Malaysian netizens scrutinise the smallest details of their leaders’ lifestyles, including the brands of their T-shirts, shoes, and even pens: the fact that Anwar used a cheap Artline black pen favoured by students at his swearing-in quickly went viral and the pen is selling out.
Netizens are quick to compare details like the prices of politicians’ clothes and any expressions of lavish lifestyles will not be well tolerated. Anwar must now convince his cabinet colleagues, his party, and family members to follow in his footsteps.
Since the Pakatan Harapan cannot form the government without support from its opponents, Anwar would not want to be seen dishing out cabinet positions in exchange for loyalty.
He has pledged not to succumb to that practice, but since several coalitions have indicated an interest in filling the deputy prime minister post, he had to settle for an unprecedented two deputies in Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof.
Going forward, the prime minister must discontinue the practice of appointing MPs to lead government-linked companies.
