IT was a journey 30 years in the making from when he was first made deputy prime minister in Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s cabinet in 1993 to being sworn in yesterday as the country’s 10th prime minister.
From imprisonment to political betrayal, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s road to becoming prime minister has been eventful, if not tumultuous.
Now that he has finally received the keys to the kingdom on what would be his third try, Anwar’s path to Putrajaya will be a tale told in books, forums, discussions, and even films for generations.
But that is just Act 1.
No one can challenge Anwar’s resilience, tenacity, and dogged determination, which has seen his hard work and sacrifices (including that of his family) pay off on November 24, 2022.
Now that he has finally been able to snatch victory from formidable nemeses – friends-turned-foes-turned-friends-turned-foes again in the likes of Dr Mahathir and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Anwar’s real test begins.
It is the worst time to lead this country – facing racial polarisation, a rising conservative cluster, an economy that has taken a beating, unemployment, the high cost of living, a tanking ringgit, and lukewarm global perception.
Now if forming a cabinet comprising colleagues from your coalition is enough of a headache, imagine forming one with people who just a week ago were your opponents in a gruelling and tense general election?
With no one side obtaining a simple majority, Anwar has the unenviable if not delicate task of juggling the expectations of his coalition partners in Pakatan Harapan (PH) as well as the demands of the other parties that have formed a unity government with PH to allow Anwar to become prime minister.
But if anyone can perform a tricky balancing act, and that too without a safety net, it is Anwar, who appears to be the master of equilibrium – at times his critics say to his own detriment.
He had managed to bring Sabah and Sarawak back from the brink through a simple gesture of humility in approaching them, followed by a visit from DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and an apology from him and party chairman Lim Guan Eng for testy statements the latter made about Sarawak when he was finance minister.
While he has the soft touch, Anwar now as prime minister must also be seen to be able to control the loose cannons in his coalition.
He needs them to speak less and do more and put the “bodoh sombong” types in check.
This is a prime ministership three decades in the making and the expectations of the people have never been this high.
The expectations of the global community too, which saw robust trading and the ringgit spiking against the dollar yesterday.
While Anwar may have the will, gumption, and grey matter to pull it off, he is only as strong as his team.
That is why the selection process must be purely based on merit and ability – not a reward scheme. This was also what PH had been talking about during the election campaign.
Hence he needs to make the right choices or else be faced with criticism after criticism as Dr Mahathir did for his 22-month cabinet with less than stellar ministers who spurred tone deaf narratives.
If Anwar’s team lets him down, Anwar lets the people down. Many of whom have been waiting for this day most of their lives.
And with a looming confidence vote that Muhyiddin and PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang are gleefully waiting for, he could be at risk of being the prime minister who waited the longest but served the shortest.
Anwar’s team of ministers though this time is expected to include those he sparred with just one week ago in a bruising election.
With Barisan Nasional said to feature in his administration and a consensus that promises no Sheraton Moves after two years, this could be a government that is truly representative of almost all Malaysians.
Almost because his biggest task is to unite a polarised country where the greens and reds have never been so glaring.
It is understood that Anwar will be extending the olive branch to Perikatan Nasional, who with 73 seats now forms a formidable opposition.
This is also in deference to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who has decreed for the country to be united.
The king said this is not a situation where the winner takes all or the loser loses all. All parties fell short of a simple majority.
Perhaps this is how the new political landscape will be – where the people are forcing our politicians to stop acting like children and work together for the good of this country.
One is hopeful. – The Vibes, November 25, 2022
Terence Fernandez is editor in chief of PETRA News that publishes The Vibes and Getaran
