[PHOTOS] 2022 in pictures: a jailed former PM, a new one, and everything in between
The Vibes Visuals Team brings you visual highlights from this rollercoaster year
Updated 3 years ago · Published on 31 Dec 2022 6:23PM
On August 23, Datuk Seri Najib Razak became the first former prime minister to go to jail for corruption. He was ordered to begin his 12-year prison sentence immediately after the Federal Court upheld his conviction in the RM42 million SRC International scandal. He also has to pay a RM210 million fine. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022
by The Vibes Visuals Team
KUALA LUMPUR – The rollercoaster year that was 2022 saw highs and lows, from the full reopening of the economy and country’s borders after the Covid-19 pandemic earlier in the year, to national sorrow over widespread flooding and loss of life in the tragic Batang Kali landslide at the end.
Also significant for the country was the jailing of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in August, a historic event given Malaysia’s long battle with endemic corruption. It showed that even the highest office can be held to account under a functioning, independent judiciary.
Another major milestone was the historic 15th general election (GE15) in November that saw long-time opposition figure Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim become Malaysia’s 10th prime minister, a personal achievement for the political veteran and former prisoner, and the beginning of new hope for the country under its first-ever unity government. How will this pan out? 2023 may tell.
In between, Malaysia grappled with allegations of corruption scandals, such as the six littoral combat ships project, and continued to see its tolerance for free speech tested, as highlighted by the Crackhouse Comedy Club incident.
The Vibes Visuals team showcases its collection of captured moments throughout 2022 to mark and close the year that was, with hopes for a better Malaysia in the year to come. – The Vibes, December 31, 2022
2022 has begun with the share ownership scandal involving Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief Tan Sri Azam Baki. The allegations, which were first revealed in late 2021, continued into 2022. It fizzled out after the Securities Commission cleared the top anti-corruption official of any wrongdoing. Activists, nevertheless, proceeded to hold the ‘Tangkap Azam Baki’ rally in Kuala Lumpur in January. – SYEDA IMRAN/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022This year has seen Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob carefully navigating the top job as prime minister amid pressure from his party Umno which was urging him to hold a snap general election. He is seen here with Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the launch of the Barisan Nasional Youth Machinery at the Titiwangsa Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022The family of Singapore death row convict Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam mourn as he is laid to rest in Buntong, Perak. The 33 year-old was hanged in Changi Prison on April 27. News of Malaysians on death row in Singapore for drug trafficking continues to receive prominence and keeps the debate over the effectiveness of the death penalty for drug trafficking alive. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022An electronic billboard heralds the re-opening of the Malaysia-Singapore border on April 1 at the Bukit Cagar customs, immigration and quarantine complex. The date marked the country’s reopening to international travel, doing away with the MyTravel Pass and other documentation that was needed during the pandemic years to enter or leave the country. – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Women in prayer attire during the holy month of Ramadan in April this year. The fasting month and Hari Raya that followed was highly anticipated as it took place along with the reopening of Malaysia’s borders and relaxed Covid-19 standard operating procedures that allowed more people to return to mosques and families to reunited for celebrations. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Wesak Day is observed in multi-racial Malaysia, with this devotee praying at the Thai Buddhist Chetawan Temple – AZIM RAHMAN/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022 A masked couple on a date earlier this year. Even after the country’s international border’s were re-opened, Covid-19 standard operating procedures were not relaxed until much later, with the Health Ministry only lifting the mandatory mask mandate for indoor spaces in September. – SYEDA IMRAN/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Along with the economy and borders reopening after two years of Covid-19 lockdown, Indonesian band Dewa 19 came to perform at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur, in September, much to the delight of fans left deprived of live entertainment during the pandemic. – Alif Omar/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022The biggest full moon of the year, or the Supermoon, appears on July 13, as seen over the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) building. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Art and fashion continue to thrive at the Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week which marked its 10th anniversary this year in August. – SYEDA IMRAN/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Protesters at a rally in Kuala Lumpur in August hold caricatures of former ministers alleged to be involved in corruption scandals surrounding the littoral combat ships (LCS) saga. The scandal, involving an over RM9 billion contract to build six vessels in awarded in 2011, has yet to see a single ship completed and delivered to the Malaysian navy despite its deadline of 2023. The project is still ongoing, while one person has been charged for criminal breach of trust. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022The Merdeka Day parade makes a huge comeback this year, after a two-year absence due to Covid-19 restrictions. It was estimated that more than 100,000 people showed up on the streets of Kuala Lumpur near Dataran Merdeka on August 31 to watch the event. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022The sealed premises of the Crackhouse Comedy Club in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. A video clip of a female performer removing her clothes while allegedly insulting Islam in a stand-up comedy open mic session sealed the club’s fate. Kuala Lumpur City Hall revoked its operating license and imposed a lifetime ban on its owners from setting up any new business. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Despite many modern changes in Malaysian life, traditional ways continue to survive, such as the use of charcoal, sugar and butter to roast coffee beans at the Chun Hoe Coffee Factory in Klang since 1960. – SYEDA IMRAN/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022A slice of life among lower income families in Kuala Lumpur. In October, the government adjustment of the national poverty line income from RM980 in 2019 to RM1,169. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022The 20.1km-long Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway (DASH), showing the Penchala Interchange here, was opened for public use on October 14. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022The ‘Jaya Ram’ Odissi dance presented by the Sutra Foundation was performed at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre or klpac in September, adding to the colourful multi-ethnic fabric that is uniquely Malaysia’s. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Malaysian political icon Tan Sri Samy Vellu has died on September 15 at the age of 86. The former MIC president, Sg Siput MP, and minister who began politics in the 1970s, received a flood of accolades and tributes at his passing. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Then-opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (right) faces off with former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak (left) at their first ever ‘Debat Perdana’ in Kuala Lumpur on May before the latter was jailed for corruption in August. The debate left some observers feeling dissatisfied that it was friendlier than expected. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the Konsert Santai bersama Anwar Ibrahim in Ipoh, Perak, during the campaign for the 15the general election in November. The then-opposition leader contested the Tambun federal seat there and won, later becoming the country’s 10th prime minister. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the Ceramah Mega Harapan in Bandar Tun Razak during a 15th general election campaign, with wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail beside him. She contested the parliamentary seat and won. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Newly sworn-in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arriving at the Sg Long Clubhouse in Kajang on November 24 to give his first press conference as the country’s head of government. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, December 31, 20222022 has not ended well for Kg Sg Baru residents, who received an eviction notice in December and must vacate their homes by the middle of January. The residents of one of the few Malay villages in the heart of Kuala Lumpur have spent the better part of the year battling a developer for adequate compensation but were finally subject to the Land Acquisition Act 1960 which allows for their land to be taken over, albeit with compensation. – SYEDA IMRAN/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022A woman wades through muddy flood waters in Meru. Year-end floods due to the monsoon season is an annual occurrence, but floods caused by heavier than usual rain due to climate change have also begun to occur more frequently at other times of the year. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022Rescuers lift a body retrieved from under 16 metres of mud at the site of the Batang Kali landslide which occurred at the Father’s Organic Farm on December 16. It took nine days of digging through soil to find the 31 people who perished. – SAIRIEN NAFIS/The Vibes pic, December 31, 2022
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