PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has played down the urgency of holding an early 16th General Election (GE16), saying the government remains stable and its immediate priority is to improve the people’s wellbeing and tackle corruption and abuse of power.
Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman, said the decision to dissolve Parliament was within his prerogative as prime minister and that he would submit a proposal to Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, when the time was right.
“For me, this focus is what is important. In addition, the government is currently still stable. So, let us focus on this first.
“Do not worry, people who are trustworthy and clean should not be afraid of action taken by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Royal Malaysia Police or Inland Revenue Board. We cannot continue to allow the current situation to persist.
“I know because I have also faced several pressures and suggestions, but I have taken the decision as conveyed at the Cabinet meeting the day before yesterday, namely that we have been given the mandate to govern, manage the country well and clean it up from corruption and abuse of power,” he said.
Anwar was speaking to reporters after Friday prayers at Bukit Indah Mosque in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.
His remarks came after Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for GE16 to be held earlier than the automatic dissolution of Parliament, which is due in February 2028.
While Anwar did not rule out an earlier election, his comments indicated that there was no immediate move to dissolve Parliament, with the government instead concentrating on its current mandate.
Meanwhile, Anwar said people who were called in merely to assist investigations should not automatically be made to wear the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s orange remand attire, warning that this could create an unfair public perception before any wrongdoing had been established.
He said investigations should be conducted first before enforcement agencies decide whether further action was warranted.
“If you ask to investigate, investigate first. If there is a case to be charged, I leave it to the enforcement agencies to decide what colour clothing is appropriate.
“But for now, I respect the view that those who are cooperating in an investigation do not necessarily need to wear orange clothing because it will create a different perception,” he said.
Anwar stressed that enforcement agencies, including the MACC, police and Inland Revenue Board, must act fairly and with discretion.
“There is evidence, proceed. If there is no evidence, release them,” he said.
The issue of orange attire for remanded individuals has been raised several times in Parliament, particularly over concerns that it could affect the dignity and public perception of individuals who have not been convicted.
Anwar nevertheless reiterated that his administration’s anti-corruption drive would continue despite the political pressures surrounding it.
“As long as I hold this mandate, we will continue to clean up the country from corruption and abuse of power,” he said. - September 4, 2026
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