KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s historic appointment yesterday as Malaysia’s new prime minister made world news headlines, with several media outlets highlighting his long years of political wilderness before reaching the top.
International media noted the student leader-turned-politician and former Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad protege’s setback after setback in reaching the prime minister’s office, a post that was almost certainly his before his sacking from the government by his then mentor in 1998.
Anwar would have been the country’s fifth prime minister then. Twenty-four years later, in “twists of fate” as some foreign press have said, he was sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th prime minister yesterday.
In nods to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman’s struggles and tenacity, South China Morning Post called him an “irrepressible optimist” (PM at last: How ‘irrepressible optimist’ Anwar Ibrahim went from prison to becoming Malaysia’s leader), while The Guardian’s headline was Anwar Ibrahim: from protest leader and prisoner to Malaysia’s PM.
The Wall Street Journal’s headline was Anwar Ibrahim Becomes Malaysia’s Prime Minister After Tumultuous Political Journey, while CNN emphasised the many years it has taken for the newly-elected Tambun MP to reach the top post, with Anwar Ibrahim sworn in as Malaysia’s 10th PM, ending decades-long wait for country's top job.
Newswires Reuters and AP also emphasised his protracted struggle with Anwar Ibrahim’s long road to prime minister of Malaysia and From prisoner to PM, Malaysia’s Anwar had long ride to top, respectively.
The Washington Post, meanwhile, emphasised his anti-corruption and clean government promise with Anti-graft reformer Anwar Ibrahim appointed Malaysia’s prime minister.
Anwar had in the past spent two stints in jail for sodomy and corruption, charges which he had always insisted as politically motivated to end his political career.
The PKR president received a royal pardon after PH won the 2018 polls and was expected to replace Dr Mahathir as prime minister but the transition was aborted after the PH government collapsed following the Sheraton Move in February 2020.
Anwar now has to form a unity government as decreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong following five days of uncertainty after no coalition won the required majority of seats to form a new administration.
In the 15th general election, PH won 82 seats, Perikatan Nasional 73, and Barisan Nasional 30. Smaller coalitions Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah won 23 and six respectively, while Warisan won three.
Smaller parties and independents make up four seats, while Padang Serai will hold a delayed poll on December 7 after the death of one candidate. – The Vibes, November 25, 2022
