On November 24, five days after the Malaysian election, Pakatan Harapan led by Datuk Seri Anwar and the National Front finally reached an agreement to form a coalition government. Anwar was appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia as the country's 10th Prime Minister.
Kuala Lumpur, which is still in the rainy season, is a little cooler, and Anwar, who has just won the election, completed the oath of prime minister and went straight to the press conference. This is Anwar's first press conference since he officially became prime minister, and there is still too much time to express his personal feelings, and Anwar has already received many calls from foreign leaders to congratulate him. Anwar's wife, Aziza, sits next to him and records her husband's joy with a camera. For Anwar, 75, he has been waiting for this day for 25 years.
A successor
Anwar was born in Penang in 1947 into a political family. His father was a member of parliament for the ruling coalition National Front, and Anwar was already active in the student movement and showed his leadership skills during his college years. After graduating from university in 1971, he joined the political establishment of the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement and entered politics.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"The Islamic Youth Movement has optimized Islamic education, they have tried to integrate Islam with the major fields, so Anwar is involved in the movement that is relatively advanced in shaping his own Islamic thinking."
The young Anwar's daring and eloquent manner won the appreciation of Mahathir, another political figure of the time. Mahathir also has great ambitions to build a modern Malaysia. In 1982, Anwar received an invitation from Mahathir to join the National Front on the eve of the general election and successfully won Penang's only Islamist constituency.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"They were father and son during that time."
Since then, Anwar has progressed from Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports to Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Education and then to Minister of Finance. He did not disappoint Mahathir, and during his tenure as finance minister, Malaysia's economy grew rapidly, reversing its fiscal deficit for many years, and Malaysia's comprehensive national strength jumped to the forefront of Southeast Asian countries. Anwar was appointed deputy prime minister in 1993, and his dream of prime minister began.
II "Sodomite"
In 1997, the financial turmoil swept through Southeast Asia, and Malaysia's economy was greatly affected, and the ringgit depreciated sharply. In early 1997, then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad took a two-month sabbatical, and Anwar, who assumed the post of deputy prime minister, had an opportunity.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"He began to spread all the policies and ideals in his heart in 1997, allowing Malaysia to accept assistance from the International Monetary Fund, while demanding salary cuts and downsizing the civil service corps for civil servants and ministers."
Anwar's free and open economic policies have touched Mahathir's nerves. Two months later, Mahathir, who had finished his vacation, returned to the DPRK and called a halt to Anwar's new policy, and the feud between the two began.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"Those policies are basically contrary to the policies of Mahathir, who is more conservative and acting Prime Minister Anwar is more radical."
Anwar was expelled from the party in 1998 and subsequently charged with sodomy and malfeasance, and in April 1999, Anwar was imprisoned.
3. Change of weather and defeat
Anwar's supporters took to the streets to demonstrate and launch the "No Extinguishing Fire" citizens' movement, a major event in Malaysia's political history that has repercussions to this day. In that year's election, the National Front received the lowest number of ethnic Malay votes since coming to power. For Anwar, it was also a watershed moment in his life. His wife Aziza and eldest daughter, Nura Isa, entered politics and helped found the PKR.
In 2004, Anwar was released from prison and returned to politics as leader of the opposition, and Anwar, who had been dormant for many years, waited for his opportunity. In 2008, Anwar proposed the "916 Sky Change Plan" in an attempt to overthrow the government of then-Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Abdullah. This is the second time Anwar has attacked the prime minister's throne, but it has failed.
Five years later, in 2013, Anwar led the PKR Democratic Action Party and the Islamic Party to form the Awami League. A year later, the Kajang constituency of Segor is waiting for a by-election candidate. This constituency is a safe zone for the Awami League, and according to the alliance's deployment, Anwar will lead the Awami League to the 2018 national elections after winning the election, but it is a pity that Providence has tricked people.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"In 2013, the seat in Kajang State was vacant, so there was a by-election. But at that time, Anwar had a lawsuit, and as a result, there was no way to run, and his dream of another prime minister was shattered. ”
IV. The promoter and the trickster
After a third defeat, Anwar was jailed in 2015 despite denying charges and appealing. In 2017, while still serving a prison sentence, he was elected the real leader of the opposition Pakatan Harapan Harapan and Anwar saw him so close to the prime minister for the fourth time.
After the comeback Mahathir announced his membership in Pakatan Harapan and went to prison to visit Anwar, the two became allies again, and Mahathir also said that he would seek amnesty for Anwar after winning the election.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"Mahathir's visit to Anwar was a move to defy public opinion, and he created a very harmonious atmosphere that made people feel that Anwar and Mahathir had let go of their previous differences."
Pakatan Harapan won the election in 2018 and Anwar was amnestied. When Mahathir became prime minister, he promised to hand over the baton to Anwar in two years.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"I can't say that he is completely for show, but he seems to let the voters know, which is a reassurance, because when he took office, there were some people in the country who still did not believe that Mahathir would give way to Anwar."
Time flies, two years later, and in the face of Anwar's anxious waiting, Mahathir responds coldly. In 2020, the Sheraton coup in Malaysia broke out, Mahathir announced his resignation, the Pakatan Harapan government collapsed due to infighting, and Anwar's dream of Prime Minister Anwar was shattered for the fourth time. Since 1993, Anwar has campaigned for prime minister four times, two of which have fallen directly under former Bole Mahathir.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"He is both a promoter and a trickster of fate."
In the 2022 election, Anwar attacked the prime minister for the fifth time, and the 97-year-old Mahathir made a comeback again, and his new opponent Muhyiddin also has a crush on the prime minister. This time, Anwar was more prepared.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"In Malay society, Anwar has been portrayed as a man who wants nothing for his rights, so he is now showing the voters that whether there is a prime minister is secondary, and the most important thing is to form a main office first." So this time he gave people such a character, and the result was indeed as he wished. The current coalition government was successfully formed. ”
Five Night Before Election Sleepless
On November 18, 2022, Seremban Flower City Square in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, a sea of red flags symbolizing Pakatan Harapan was symbolized. It was the last night before the elections.
On November 19, Malaysia's 15th parliamentary lower house election began, and 75-year-old Anwar led Pakatan Harapan to make a comeback to challenge the prime minister for the fifth time.
Anwar, far away on the other side of the screen, felt the cheers of the people, and this night was destined to be sleepless for Anwar. Voters still remember the political chaos that took place after Pakatan Harapan came to power in 2018. Will Anwar once again receive the sacred vote of Malaysia's voters?
In 2020, Anwar was still eager to secure the premiership after losing the Pakatan Harapan election in Sabah State, claiming to have garnered enough support. But Anwar was slow to come up with a list after that, disappointing supporters.
Law Student, University of Malaya Liao Pinchun:
"After the Anwar Sheraton coup, he held press conferences three times and said 'I have the numbers,' and I was willing to support me, but until today, two years later, he can't come up with the list of most of the parliamentarians who claim to support him, and then he has a lot of bizarre words and deeds, which has led to less and less confidence in him."
Mahathir, who has been bound all his life, made a comeback in this election, not forgetting to dig up Anwar's scars.
Mahathir, Chairman of the Malaysian Fatherland Fighter Party:
"Anwar has declared him prime minister four times. But he is not yet prime minister. He thinks everyone likes him, but in reality everyone doesn't like him. Therefore, he was never able to gain the support of the majority to become prime minister. ”
Six Pre-Election Night Bets
In this election, Anwar's first task is to restore confidence within Pakatan Harapan, which hopes to build a Pakatan Harapan corridor and form a solid Pakatan Harapan sphere of influence on the west coast of Malaysia. Among them, the election situation in Perak became the key. It is hoped that the Paulcan government will be taken over and the Pakatan Harapan will be built together with Negeri Sembilan, Selangor and Penang, which are ruled by Pakatan Harapan on the west coast of the peninsula.
Before the election, Anwar moved his constituency from Paulderson, the traditional iron ticket district of Pakatan Harapan in Negeri Sembilan, to Bangbang, Perak, one of the swing constituencies. Anwar personally led the troops to suppress the battle and stabilize the morale of the Pakatan Harapan army.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"He can no longer use the safe zone, so he gives up the so-called Port Dickson seat and goes to the parliament seat, because the parliament seat belongs to a Pakatan Harapan gray zone, and there is a risk that he will lose." So when he did this, voters began to think a little bit of him. ”
Pakatan Harapan has been highlighting Anwar's reformist image in this election, touting that Anwar will build a more enlightened and diverse Malaysia for its people.
Law Student, University of Malaya Liao Pinchun:
"Before 2020, the leader of the opposition party in Malaysia was very aura, for example, Anwar was released from political persecution, but still very tenaciously returned to the political arena, which is a very surprising thing for many people inside and outside Malaysia: your fighting spirit has not been eroded."
VII Post-election night crisis
In the early morning of November 20, the counting of votes in the Malaysian parliamentary election basically ended. Anwar's reformist Pakatan Harapan Harapan won 82 seats, the biggest winner. Anwar is just one step away from becoming prime minister, but Pakatan Harapan faces another crisis.
At the hotel where Pakatan Harapan held its election press conference, the media waited anxiously with long guns and short cannons, and the live broadcast of Pakatan Harapan victory in some constituencies was broadcast on the live screen, and there were cheers. Pakatan Harapan leader Anwar, with DAP Secretary-General Luk Siu Fook and others held a meeting nervously in the hotel lounge.
From the late night of the 19th to more than 3 o'clock in the morning of the 20th, Anwar was in this small room, waiting for the voting results, party insiders revealed that although Anwar was calm but worried.
Late at night, Sarawak, two political parties in East Malaysia, announced an alliance with the two major parties in Sabah, claiming to fight for the best interests of the people of East Malaysia. The DAP in Pakatan Harapan is at odds with the two major parties in East Malaysia. The analysis believes that once the East Malaysia political party coalition cooperates with the National Alliance led by Muhidin, who won the second most seats in the election, Pakatan Harapan is very likely to become the opposition camp again.
Anwar, dressed in black leather, walked out of the lounge accompanied by key Pakatan Harapan figures. At the press conference, Anwar briefly reported on the election. As for who Pakatan Harapan has formed a coalition government with, there has been no positive response.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"It's relatively low-key, it's not as if Barisan Nasional and the League of Nations have been saying that we have numbers and that we don't want to join the government. They just told people very clearly that we have numbers, that we will form a government with other parties, and that we are in contact now. They are more calm. ”
VIII Post-election Night Twist
In the days that followed, news of alliances between other major political parties began one after another. Pakatan Harapan appears to have been silent. As the main party of Pakatan Harapan, the Democratic Action Party, put down its position at a critical time to take care of the overall situation, DAP Secretary-General Luk Siu Fook announced on November 24 that he went to the home of Sarawak Prime Minister Ba Dim Yi Abang Johari that morning to publicly apologize on behalf of the Democratic Bank Party for his remarks that might have offended the Sarawak state government and people earlier.
Secretary General of DAP Luk Siu Fook:
"Because DAP is a multi-racial party and what we want to do is a party of the whole people, we have all faced a big challenge in the past few decades, we have worked very hard, this term we send more Malay candidates, we hope that more Malay MPs will be elected, and when we have more Malay leaders representing DAP, the whole image of us will definitely change."
At around 11:50 a.m. on November 23, Anwar distributed a lunch of fried chicken rice with turmeric to journalists waiting outside his residence.
Less than 24 hours later, the Malaysian National Palace announced that Pakatan Harapan and PKR Chairman Anwar would become Malaysia's 10th prime minister. At 5pm on 24 November, Datuk Sri Anwar was sworn in at the National Palace. After 25 years, Anwar has finally achieved his dream.
IX. Future Challenges
For the first time, Pakatan Harapan has worked with the National Front for the first time, and Anwar's prime minister has been challenging.
At present, the Malaysian economy has been hit hard by the epidemic. To express their dissatisfaction with the former ruling coalition National Front, a large number of Malay votes in the East Coast region and northern Malaysia went to the conservative Islamist Party. Within the ruling coalition, the National Front is very likely to propose policies that are in the interests of conservative Malays in order to prepare for the next elections. Anwar faces many challenges in maintaining Malaysia's multi-ethnic society.
Liu Weicheng, Scholar, Department of Journalism and Politics, University of Rahman, Malaysia:
"For example, in the area of religion, Barisan Nasional will start to propose more policies, they will make more demands. Anwar will face challenges from within the government, and Barisan Nasional will certainly make a move. ”
In international affairs, Malaysia is facing competition from ASEAN, and Vietnam's GDP has surpassed Malaysia's. Revitalizing Malaysia and delivering on its promises to voters will be another major issue during Anwar's tenure.
Today, there are more than 50 political parties active in Malaysian politics, and the political map is even more fragmented. Is a groundbreaking coalition government between Pakatan Harapan and its old rival, the National Front, viable? Can Malaysia return to political stability? On the other hand, with Islamism on the rise, are conservative voters in Malaysia willing to accept a more diverse and inclusive future?
Anwar, whose political career has been up and down for nearly half a century, verified a lyric with his own experience: "It is you who let me see through this thing of life, four words, stick to the end..."
Producer: Ke Zhongping
Choreographer: Zhang Deming, Xiao Xiya and Chen Yanhao
Editor: Ding Xiao