“In my opinion, this is an important milestone, a vote of confidence in the government and the reform program, as well as in the prime minister himself.”
The former deputy prime minister witnessed a remarkable rise in his fortune – from being imprisoned as an opposition leader to receiving a royal pardon in May after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad led Pakatan Harapan to an unprecedented electoral victory, ousting the previous Barisan Nasional coalition after 61 years in power. Ahead of the overall elections, the heads of Pakatan Harapan’s component parties agreed that Mahathir would step down in 2020 to make way for Anwar as prime minister.
Anwar, observers say, is the one obvious candidate who could replace Mahathir. However, there may be concern that warring factions inside Anwar’s party will create instability in the brand new government, in addition to rumors of rivalry between Anwar and his mentor-turned-enemy-turned-ally Mahathir, who fired Anwar as his deputy during his first term as Prime Minister from 1981 to 2003.
A government aide who can also be the sitting prime minister could spark power struggles in parliament.
“Anwar must serve in the government and either replace his wife [Wan Azizah Wan Ismail] as deputy prime minister or head of a parliamentary committee or special task force with ministerial status. He needs to be in the government, which can be done without sidelining Mahathir. His talk of being a backbencher is a recipe for disaster,” said political scientist Wong Chin Huat of the state-funded Penang Institute think tank.
While backbenchers have traditionally been allowed to outshine and even replace their frontbench colleagues, a sitting prime minister criticizing the federal government from the backbench could potentially be interpreted as constructing a second, alternative center of power.
In the approaching months, if Anwar doesn’t shoot himself within the foot, his popularity will increase
“He would only have himself to blame if such perceptions eventually became an obstacle to his return,” Wong said.
Awang Azman, an associate professor on the Academy of Malay Studies on the University of Malaya, said some Pakatan Harapan members were “very apprehensive” about Anwar’s return to politics, especially given his planned profession as prime minister.
“They also fear that their position and power will be replaced by Anwar, and Anwar will instead choose his own loyal people to take their place,” he said.
Currently, Anwar loyalist Rafizi Ramli and Economy Minister Azmin Ali are competing for the position of PKR vp, dividing the party into two camps. Anwar is believed to support Rafizi, although the party vehemently denies any internal splits.
Despite rampant speculation that some quarters were able to block Anwar’s path to the prime minister’s position, Anwar’s solid electoral victory with an almost 60 percent turnout and subsequent seat on the parliamentary table ensured his legitimacy.
“He is the only obvious candidate to succeed Mahathir. Any other candidate – Azmin is most likely – will only create more opposition and uncertainty. As long as Anwar refrains from challenging Mahathir to accelerate his rise and avoids alienating the public – which has become more demanding and critical of politicians – Anwar’s smooth succession will be best for political stability in Malaysia,” Wong said.
Both political and economic players will invest in Anwar or at least divide their investments between him and Mahathir.
“In the coming months, if Anwar does not shoot himself in the foot, his popularity will increase,” Wong said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim are campaigning together for the primary time in 20 years
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim are campaigning together for the primary time in 20 years
But Anwar must now select his agenda: Before his electoral victory, Anwar’s stance as a largely liberal reformist gave him political traction. However, the federal government under Mahathir’s leadership has initiated reforms in lots of elements, from national laws to human rights issues, removing Anwar’s unique advantage.
“The caring prime minister needs to make some reforms while waiting to strengthen his position as a reformist,” Wong said. “This may mean reforming domestic economic policy or adjusting the bureaucracy accordingly, but Anwar must do so without rocking the boat – a test of his political astuteness and diplomacy crafting skills.”
This article appeared within the print edition of the South China Morning Post as: Anwar says a landslide victory will seal a political comeback
