Can Anwar Score A Second Term?

By M. Krishnamoorthy

On the back of what many are calling one of the most successful ASEAN Summits in recent years, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is riding high on the popularity wave. Diplomatically, Malaysia has scored well on both regional and international fronts — and politically, Anwar’s standing has rarely looked stronger.

As Chair, Malaysia held its position valiantly among superpowers and stronger nations, among ASEAN neighbours, and we played our role as a warm and welcoming host. The Prime Minister orchestrated the government machinery to near perfection at the Summit, with civil servants and cabinet Ministers delivering their 100 percent.

If the Prime Minister were to call a snap election today, the odds suggest he could very well win it.

As Anwar approaches his third year in office, Malaysians are beginning to ask a defining question: Will he get a second term?

Those who know Anwar’s work ethic say he remains as driven as ever. At 77, he has told close colleagues that the reason he pushes the reform agenda so relentlessly is simple — time is running out, and he wants to get things done while he still has the energy and mandate to do so.

While critics continue to scrutinise his every move — from his administration’s domestic policies to the recently signed U.S. Reciprocal Trade Agreement — the facts speak for themselves: Malaysia’s economy is on the right trajectory despite global headwinds.

Even in a world still wrestling with geopolitical volatility and sluggish growth, Malaysia has managed to remain steady. Economists, both local and foreign, have praised the government’s “navigational discipline” and its ability to steer the economy through uncertain waters.

Still, politics in Malaysia has always been about more than policy. It’s about personality, patronage — and, at times, perception. Beneath the optimism lies a familiar question about whether Anwar’s reform agenda can truly overcome the inertia of Malaysia’s political culture.

After all, this is a country where alliances are fragile, loyalty is transactional, and corruption has long been woven into the fabric of power.

Anwar’s premiership was built on a promise of renewal — a Madani government committed to integrity, good governance, and social justice. And while progress has been made, fatigue is setting in. The people are watching to see whether the Prime Minister’s lofty ideals can survive the grind of realpolitik.

As the next general election looms, the verdict on Anwar Ibrahim remains mixed. He has shown resolve, intellect, and endurance — but whether that will be enough to secure a second term will depend not only on his policies, but on whether Malaysians still believe in his promise of reform.

Bearing in mind, 2026 or 2027 could be another defining moment in Malaysia’s history on whether this coalition holds strong or we see the return of the old system?

A System Inherited, Not Built

To understand Anwar’s predicament, one must first acknowledge the political ecosystem he inherited. The Malay-dominated administrative and political machinery, long influenced by UMNO’s six-decade grip on power, remains deeply embedded.

Between 2015 and June 2025, over 6,585 bribery-related cases were recorded, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said — a stark reminder of the structural rot that runs deep within the system.

Against this backdrop, Anwar’s reform agenda was always going to be an uphill climb.

Reforms in Motion: A Slow, Cautious March

Since assuming office, Anwar’s administration has launched reforms aimed at strengthening institutions, promoting fiscal discipline, and improving living standards — albeit with gradual results.

Institutional and Governance Reforms

• Judicial Independence: A task force is studying the separation of the Attorney General’s advisory role from the Public Prosecutor’s prosecutorial powers — a key demand for judicial impartiality.
• Civil Service Meritocracy: Anwar has repeatedly urged civil servants to serve the national interest above political loyalties, emphasising fairness and professionalism.
• Constitutional Amendments: The landmark 2024 amendment allowing Malaysian mothers to confer citizenship on their children born abroad marked a major step forward in equality, despite early controversy.
• Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63): The restoration of Sabah and Sarawak’s autonomy has advanced, signalling renewed federal commitment.
• Freedom of Assembly: The government’s decision to allow the “Turun Anwar” rally in July 2025 demonstrated greater tolerance for public dissent — a marked contrast to past administrations.

Political analyst Professor Tajuddin Rasdi commended the move:

“Allowing peaceful protest reflects a maturing democracy. Malaysians will remember that this government, unlike those before it, allowed dissent without fear.”

Economic and Social Reforms

• Targeted Subsidies: Blanket subsidies for essentials like chicken, eggs, electricity, and diesel have been rationalised to plug fiscal leakages and direct aid to those truly in need.
• Diesel Rationalisation: Expected to save billions annually while maintaining subsidies for public transport and logistics.
• Fiscal Reforms: Budget 2026 continues the government’s effort to narrow the deficit to 3.5% of GDP and boost revenue collection.
• Madani Economic Framework: Launched in July 2023, this framework, alongside the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, aims to drive high-value investments in technology, digitalisation, and AI.
• Poverty Eradication: The Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah programmes have reinforced Malaysia’s social safety net, with Anwar claiming near eradication of hardcore poverty — a key campaign promise.

Reform Fatigue: Where Progress Has Stalled

But despite these milestones, many of Anwar’s most symbolic promises remain unfulfilled.

• Institutional Reform Delays: The long-promised separation of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor roles remains under review.
• MACC Independence: The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission remains tied to the executive, raising questions about impartiality.
• Political Appointments: The continued placement of politicians in GLCs has undercut Anwar’s pledge to end political patronage.
• Press Freedom: Colonial-era laws such as the Sedition Act 1948 and Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 remain unrepealed.
• Selective Enforcement: Critics argue anti-corruption drives have been uneven, with some UMNO-linked cases dropped — feeding perceptions of political compromise.

Why Reforms Stall

Analysts point to three main reasons for the slow progress.

1. Political Compromise: To maintain the unity government, Anwar has had to share power with former rivals — notably UMNO — tempering his reformist zeal.
2. Competing Priorities: Inflation and the cost of living have forced the government to focus on short-term relief over structural reform.
3. Rural Disconnect: The Madani narrative has yet to resonate with rural Malay voters, where cost pressures and conservative politics still dominate.

The Road Ahead: Between Reform and Realpolitik

Almost three years into his term, Anwar faces the dual challenge of delivering reforms while keeping his fragile coalition intact. The public perception of rising corruption and political complacency threatens to overshadow his achievements.

Meanwhile, controversies — including ongoing legal suits and moral allegations — risk distracting from his reformist image.

Anwar’s legacy, however, may ultimately depend less on perfection and more on perseverance. “There’s no turning back,” he declared in June 2025. “What I am certain of is that every month and every year, there must be some progression in addressing reform issues.”

As Malaysia looks toward the next general election, the question is not only whether Anwar will get a second term — but whether his vision of a Madani Malaysia can survive the compromises that come with power.

In a political landscape still shaped by old loyalties and new anxieties, Anwar’s challenge remains monumental. But for now, one question lingers louder than ever among Malaysians:

If not Anwar — who?

M. Krishnamoorthy is a media coach, adjunct professor, and undercover journalist. With over four decades of experience, he has contributed to major news outlets,

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