Anwar Ibrahim – a year as prime minister

Find enough clever things to say, and you’re a prime minister; write them down and you’re a Shakespeare. – George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright

It’s impossible to chart all of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s performances over the past year, and his achievements and failures, as prime minister in a single article of 800 words here.

It will not do justice to the subject in question nor readers taking the trouble to screen through this article. So, this piece is a mere short summary, scrapping the surface of the subject, at best.

It is on record that Anwar became prime minister not because the majority of Malaysian voters put him in office. He secured the top job through a decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who wanted a unity government in place after three long years of political instability.

It’s no surprise that Anwar did not have it easy as prime minister over the past 12 months but I believe Malaysians are somewhat grateful that it has been a period of relative calm and stability, at least.

Although the establishment of the Madani unity government in Nov 24 last year has cemented a change in our political system, I doubt many were able to see this as the end of the line in achieving a truly democratic nation.

I concede I’m one of the “doubters” as I have high expectation of Anwar to perform as prime minister. Yes, I’m disappointed, disillusioned even.

Let me share with readers two messages I’ve written and shared with friends in my contact list in recent days.

The first, dated Nov 4, was titled, “One year in, did Anwar change your life for the better?”, in which I wrote: “There was an occasion, before GE15 last year, when I wrote that “since I don’t expect anything to change, whether I vote or not does not make any difference.” But I still returned to Kuching and dutifully cast my vote.

I’ve also said that “I don’t think Anwar, if and when he becomes prime minister, is going to change my life, for better or for worse”.

Almost a year in, (Anwar was sworn in as PM on 24 Nov, 2022) did the new PM change my life (or yours) for the better? For me, the answer is a big “NO”.

I will spare the long list of failures which are well documented in the public sphere. (Of course, Anwar’s cohorts have the list of achievements and glories of the past year too.)

Also, don’t give the unpalatable excuse that Anwar was only in office for a year. Heck, he has been in government since 1982 and deputy PM from 1993-98. How many more years of experience do you need?

I concede that I’m particularly very disturbed with Anwar’s crusade in the Mid-East conflict. Malaysia will stand tall in the eyes of the world if we had strictly concentrated on our humanitarian role for the innocent victims of war.

Why is it so difficult to understand that rockets, bombs and bullets are raining on civilians, women and children on both sides? Providing humanitarian aid means not taking sides but helping all who require urgent assistance.

Much as I’m utterly disappointed and disillusioned with Anwar as prime minister, I’m still convinced that he is the best man we have to lead Malaysia at the moment.

Yet, our best bet is still unable to change your life and mine for the better. That is the saddest irony of it all!”

The second message, dated Oct 30, in which I also said that we should be fair to the prime minister too. Titled, “Be fair to Anwar too”, I penned:

“Someone commented in a chat group: I used to admire Anwar Ibrahim for destroying corruption. I thought he has changed for the better. All respect gone now.

My response: I am also very disappointed with Anwar, at this point in time. However, we also have to be rational and be fair to him.

A leader can do 10 things right; when he makes one slip, we tend to go after him without mercy.

I say, let us continue to support the PM in his anti-corruption drive. That is different from his current over-the-top Mid-East crusade.

I will continue to criticise Anwar if he messes up, eg. behaving like a war-monger. However, if he performs well and makes good decisions for the people and nation, he will get my thumbs-up.

I think we have to look at the issues separately.”

I am sharing the messages because I believe it is important for ordinary citizens like you and me to speak up and tell our politicians when and where they had shifted off-track. People-centric leaders will appreciate public feedback.

In responding to a recent negative survey on his first year in office, the prime minister explained that his promised reforms won’t be rushed.

But I have to tell Anwar: You have waited more than two decades to be the prime minister and implement the reforms you have promised Malaysians more than 20 years ago.

How much more time do you need, Mr Prime Minister?

DISCLAIMER:

The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.