Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim recently hosted US President Donald Trump in Kuala Lumpur. During Trump's visit, a deal was signed to reduce tariffs on Malaysian exports to the US from 24% to 19%. Anwar Ibrahim also facilitated a "peace deal" between Thailand and Cambodia at a meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur, which Trump attended. This followed Anwar's role in brokering a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia earlier in the year. Malaysia held the ASEAN chairmanship at the time. Anwar Ibrahim's political career spans 25 years, during which he was imprisoned twice.
Path to Leadership
Anwar Ibrahim established the Islamic youth movement, ABIM, as a student leader. In 1982, he joined the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and subsequently held various ministerial positions. By 1993, he became Deputy Prime Minister under then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
In 1998, he was dismissed from his post following disagreements with Mahathir over the handling of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. He was subsequently charged and jailed for sodomy and corruption, charges which he denied. In 2004, a year after Mahathir's resignation, Malaysia's Supreme Court overturned the sodomy conviction, leading to Anwar's release.
He emerged as a prominent opposition figure, leading the opposition to its strongest electoral performance in the 2013 elections. Less than a year later, new sodomy charges were filed against him, resulting in his re-imprisonment.
In 2016, Mahathir Mohamad returned to politics to challenge then-leader Najib Razak amidst corruption allegations. Mahathir, then aged 92, formed an alliance with the imprisoned Anwar, promising to secure his release and eventually transfer the premiership. Their coalition won the 2018 election. However, the alliance later dissolved due to disagreements regarding the handover of power.
In the 2022 election, Anwar's coalition secured the highest number of seats but not an outright majority needed to form a government. After a period of political deadlock, the king appointed him Prime Minister. At 78 years old, he has since served longer than his three immediate predecessors.
Domestic Challenges and Stability
Anwar Ibrahim's administration has been associated with bringing political stability to Malaysia, which had seen three prime ministers between 2020 and 2021. This stability has been noted as a factor contributing to Malaysia's appeal for investors.
However, the country faces rising costs of living. In July, 20,000 protesters demonstrated in Kuala Lumpur, calling for Anwar's resignation due to these concerns and perceived lack of economic reforms. Investments in semiconductor manufacturing and data centers have not yet yielded significant returns. The recent tariff deal with the US was considered important for Malaysia's export-driven economy.
Concerns have been raised regarding the promotion of a more inclusive Malaysia amidst growing Islamism. In 2024, a convenience store chain faced public outcry and attacks after selling socks printed with the word "Allah." In 2023, a Chinese Muslim restaurant issued an apology after a staff member was seen wearing a crucifix necklace, drawing criticism. Additionally, critics have questioned the administration's anti-corruption commitments, citing the public prosecutors' decision in 2023 to drop 47 corruption charges against a key ally, the deputy prime minister.
International Engagements
Internationally, Anwar Ibrahim has actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to manage Malaysia's relationships with both the US and China. He extended an invitation to China's leader Xi Jinping to attend the ASEAN summit. Xi Jinping had made an official visit to Malaysia in April, after a 12-year interval, but did not attend the summit. Trump's attendance at the summit allowed other countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam, to engage in discussions regarding tariffs.
Within his first year as Prime Minister, Anwar visited all ASEAN member countries except Myanmar, where a civil conflict has been ongoing since the 2021 military coup. China maintains significant influence over Myanmar's military junta. Anwar's involvement in brokering the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire also contributed to his diplomatic profile.