Whatʼs behind Anwarʼs visit to India Free Mal (original) (raw)

The Winding Road to Power: Anwar Ibrahim in Malaysian Politics

Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI-Journal) : Humanities and Social Sciences

The relationship between Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim was colorful, from friendship, fellowship to violent conflict and hostilities, even Anwar was slandered with sodomy and jailed and tortured in his cell. Anwar's struggle in Malaysian politics was full of sorrow and bitterness, after being released from prison in 2007, in 2008 he was jailed again on charges of sodomy too. But then he could be free and form an opposition against Najib Razak who replaced Mahathir.In 1997, when he became a finance minister, Anwar Ibrahim supported the steps of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He saved money by cutting state spending by 18 percent, cutting ministerial salaries, and postponing major projects. The major projects postponed by Anwar Ibrahim included a number of projects that were the mainstay of the development strategy designed by Mahathir Mohamad. In 1998, amid the worsening relationship between Anwar and Mahathir, Newsweek magazine named Anwar the "Asian Leader of ...

VANQUISHING BANQUO'S GHOST: THE ANWAR IBRAHIM AFFAIR AND ITS IMPACT ON MALAYSIAN POLITICS

This paper will examine the Anwar affair, arguing that while it may have begun as a struggle among the Malay elite, it soon became a focus for grievances and discontent among both the Malay community and the Malaysian populace as a whole. Unlike earlier attempts to forge oppositional alliances that transcended the country's ethnic divisions, what was noticeable about the pro-reform movement was its ability to unite Malaysia's diverse opposition parties, culminating in the creation of the multi-ethnic Barisan Alternatif [Alternative Front. Among the factors that contributed to the emergence of this coalition was the growth of non-governmental organisations and alternative media which themselves are a by-product of Malaysia's buoyant economic development under Mahathir's premiership.

The March 2004 General Elections in Malaysia: Looking Beyond the 'Pak Lah' Factor

Kasarinlan: Philippine Journal of Third World Studies, 2005

The mainstream media typically gives credit to the Pak Lah factor in explaining the spectacular electoral victory of Malaysias ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in the March 2004 general elections. Abdullah Badawi, nicknamed Pak Lah, replaced Malaysias long-time leader Mahathir Mohamad as Malaysias new prime minister. Malaysias voters supposedly became impressed with Abdullahs more endearing public image as well as his impressive reform initiatives. However, this only partially explains the victory. More importantly, the BN always wins because it maintains undemocratic controls over Malaysias electoral politics through its possession of large amounts of capital, its more comprehensive electoral machine, and its control over the mainstream media. Moreover, the Mahathir government abused its powers by arresting prominent opposition leaders under suspicious charges, manipulating the courts, and amending the Election Act to terms favorable to the BN but detrimental to the opposition parties. The war on terrorism provided a further opportunity to advance the prestige of the BN as Mahathir emerged as an international symbol for moderate Islam as well as a leader of the Global South. Finally, the powerful new political culture which the author refers to as developmentalism also plays a prominent role in the Malaysian electorates decision to keep the BN in power. Malaysias recent economic growth and political stability has been perceived to result from the BNs neoliberal policies of privatization, deregulation, and attracting foreign investment. Because of the general improvement in living standards, Malaysians value the development and modernization of their country above ethnicism. Moreover, Malaysians cannot imagine having political stability without BN rule, and the opposition lacks experience in promoting development. Thus, a self-policing system has emerged that has led the Malaysian citizenry to rely on the BN for economic growth and stability.

15th General Elections and Deepening Political Polarisation in Malaysia

Asia Maior, 2022

None of the three main political coalitions in the 15th Malaysian General Elections in 2022 was able to win a simple majority to form the next government. The hung parliament situation ended after the Malaysian King appointed Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister to lead a unity government including Pakatan Harapan (PH), the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), and several smaller parties. The election results indicated several key developments in Malaysian politics: (1) deepen- ing political polarisation along racial lines – most non-Malays voted for PH and a significant number of Malays voted for Perikatan Nasional (PN); (2) PN’s compo- nent parties, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Parti Islam Se-Malay- sia (PAS) won a majority of the Malay vote share, overtaking UMNO as the parties to champion for Malay and Muslim rights and (3); the Islamist party PAS won the largest number of seats, indicating that the strategy of emphasising its religious cre- dentials promoted trust among Malay voters seeking clean governance. Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine war resulted in inflationary pressures, food shortages and price hikes that the Malaysian government struggled to manage. On the foreign relations front, the Malaysian Foreign Minister adopted a critical stance towards the Myanmar military regime, even as the government deported thousands of Myanmar refugees despite mounting international criticism.

MAHATHIR'S LEADERSHIP AND MALAYSIA'S DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN POLICIES: LESSONS FOR DEVELOPING STATES

SOIS CONFERENCE ON ARTS AND HUMANITIES (SICAH)

This paper explores the significant lessons from Mahathir's domestic and foreign policy pursuit for the developing states and their leaders. From 1979, every mention of Malaysia's multi-faceted development would remain synonymous with Mahathir. The two can hardly be historically separated for they have so much bearings on each other, especially in terms of transformation and development of Mahathir's personal philosophy, political statecraft, thoughts, and ideals for development, and Malaysia's development and excelling not only among rivals and contemporaries, but before the so-called advanced nations and states. The paper is conceptual and used secondary sources of historical method of data collection and analysis. The paper is significant at this material time when many developing states and nations/leaders have lost the commitment, philosophy, practical statecraft, and inspiration, political maxims, and consistent and sustained principles for development which Mahathir embodies, preaches and practices, and has taken Malaysia where it is today with pride, dignity, development, prosperity and stability on both domestic and foreign scenes.