This article is about the events of Anwar Ibrahim's tenure as Prime Minister. For the people in Anwar Ibrahim's administration, see Anwar Ibrahim cabinet.

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Anwar Ibrahim

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The tenure of Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister of Malaysia began on 24 November 2022 when he was appointed to the office by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah after 2022 Malaysian general election.

Forming the federal government

Further information: 2022 Malaysian government formation
Official potrait of Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

In the 2022 Malaysian general election on 19 November 2022, Anwar's Pakatan Harapan coalition won a plurality of 82 seats out of 222, below the 112 seats needed for a majority.[1] On 20 November, Anwar said that Pakatan Harapan had negotiated with other parties to form the federal government with a majority pending approval by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but Anwar refused to mention which other parties were cooperating with Pakatan Harapan.[2] Also that day, Perikatan Nasional leader Muhyiddin Yassin claimed to have a sufficient majority to be appointed as Prime Minister, citing support from Perikatan Nasional, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.[3] On 21 November, Anwar was one of several Pakatan Harapan leaders that met in Seri Pacific Hotel with several Barisan Nasional leaders, including Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Ismail Sabri Yaakob.[4]

On 22 November, the royal palace stated that after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong reviewed the statutory declarations for prime minister, he found that "no member of parliament has the majority support to be appointed prime minister", so the Yang di-Pertuan Agong summoned Anwar and Muhyiddin to meet him.[5][6] After the meeting, Muhyiddin said that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong proposed a unity government between Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional, but Muhyiddin rejected it as Perikatan Nasional "will not cooperate" with Pakatan Harapan; while Anwar acknowledged that the prime minister had yet to be determined, while stating that "given time, I think we will secure a simple majority".[7][8]

Anwar was sworn-in as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister on 24 November 2022, by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah, after consulting with the Conference of Rulers of Malaysia.[9][10] However, Muhyiddin continued to insist that he had the support of a majority of 115 MPs to form the next government and called on Anwar to prove his majority by showing his Statutory Declarations.[11] As of 24 November, Anwar had received support from MPs from PH, BN, GPS, Warisan, MUDA and PBM, as well as independent MPs.[12] Anwar pledged to hold a vote of confidence on 19 December 2022, once MPs had been sworn into the Dewan Rakyat.[12]

On 25 November, both Anwar and GRS leader Hajiji Noor stated that GRS had joined the unity government, supporting Anwar; this resulted in Anwar having two-thirds support in Parliament, stated Anwar.[13][14] Meanwhile, Muhyiddin congratulated Anwar and acknowledged him as Prime Minister, thanked Anwar for inviting PN to join the unity government, and declined Anwar's invitation, stating that PN would play the role of a "credible opposition" to ensure "corruption-free governance".[15][16]

Cabinet appointments

Further information: Anwar Ibrahim cabinet

Anwar announced his cabinet on December 2. He took on the role of Minister of Finance concurrently with prime minister, while head of Barisan Nasional Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof were appointed deputy prime ministers. Zahid's appointment was in spite of his ongoing trials for money laundering, bribery and criminal breach of trust.[17]

First 100 days

Sabah political crisis

Further information: 2023 Sabah political crisis
Hajiji Noor and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah logo

The 2023 Sabah political crisis began on 6 January 2023, when the state government of Sabah led by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) collapsed when its coalition party Barisan Nasional (BN) withdrew its support.[18] The Leader of UMNO Sabah, a component party of BN, Bung Moktar Radin cited a lack of confidence in the leadership of Chief Minister of Sabah Hajiji Noor in the withdrawal.[19] On 9 January, both Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi travelled to Kota Kinabalu to meet with Sabah political leaders.[20]

Domestic affairs

On the first parliamentary session of his premiership, Anwar called a vote of confidence in his leadership on 19 December[21] and won it with a simple majority.[22] Anwar also announced cuts in energy subsidies for large businesses.[23]

Foreign affairs

Further information: List of international prime ministerial trips made by Anwar Ibrahim

See also

References

  1. ^ Nik Nurfaqih Nik Wil (21 November 2022). "GE15: Hung Parliament and significance of anti-hopping law in Malaysia". Bernama. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  2. ^ Tan, Tarrence; Vethasalam, Ragananthini (20 November 2022). "GE15: Anwar claims simple majority, but mum on party Pakatan is cooperating with". The Star. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Muhyiddin: I have the numbers to be PM". The Star. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2022.
  4. ^ Chan, Wai Kit (21 November 2022). "Anwar and Zahid among Pakatan and BN leaders at Seri Pacific Hotel in KL". Malay Mail. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  5. ^ "No one with simple majority, King summons Anwar and Muhyiddin". New Straits Times. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  6. ^ Tee, Kenneth (22 November 2022). "Anwar, Muhyiddin arrive in Istana Negara after both called by King to decide Malaysia's next govt". Malay Mail. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  7. ^ "PN will not cooperate with PH to form government – Muhyiddin". Bernama. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  8. ^ "GE15: No decision yet on who will be PM, says Anwar". The Star. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  9. ^ "Anwar Ibrahim appointed as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister". Bernama. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  10. ^ "Anwar Ibrahim sworn in as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister". New Straits Times. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  11. ^ "How about you proving your 115, Najib tells Muhyiddin". New Straits Times. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Parliament session on Dec 19, motion of confidence on PM to be tabled – PM Anwar". Bernama. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
  13. ^ Dahali, Rafiqah (25 November 2022). "GRS joined unity government for the good of Sabah, says Hajiji". New Straits Times. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  14. ^ "GRS joins, unity govt achieves two-thirds of Parliament – PM Anwar". Bernama. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  15. ^ Rodzi, Nadirah (25 November 2022). "PN to stay as opposition bloc, to provide checks and balances to Anwar's unity govt". The Straits Times. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  16. ^ Shukry, Anisah (25 November 2022). "A Rival's Misstep Helped Anwar Finally Land Malaysia's Top Job". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  17. ^ Latiff, Rozanna; Ananthalakshmi, A. (2 December 2022). "Malaysia PM Anwar to helm finance ministry". Reuters. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  18. ^ "CNA Explains: What the Sabah political impasse means for federal politics". CNA. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  19. ^ "New political crisis in Malaysia as Sabah government falls after Umno exits". South China Morning Post. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  20. ^ "Anwar arrives in KK to resolve Sabah's political crisis". The Star. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  21. ^ "Anwar Seeks to Cement Malaysia Power With Early Confidence Vote". Bloomberg.com. 18 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  22. ^ "Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar sails through confidence vote". AP NEWS. 19 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Malaysia to Cut Power Subsidies to Large Businesses, Anwar Says". Bloomberg.com. 14 December 2022. Retrieved 19 December 2022.