Posted 12/31/2023, 6:02:23 PM
Ibrahim Prioritizes Coalition Unity Over Reform Agenda as Malaysia PM
- Anwar Ibrahim has served as Malaysia's prime minister for over a year, focusing on consolidating his ruling coalition rather than pursuing a reform agenda
- Ibrahim heads the reformist, multi-ethnic Pakatan Harapan coalition, but has made compromises by allying with the former ruling party, UMNO
- He has expanded his "unity government's" Parliamentary majority to two-thirds, but at the cost of disillusioning past supporters
- Ibrahim is pandering more to Malay chauvinism and religiosity rather than fostering tolerance
- Supporters say he is constrained by his coalition and must secure a majority in 2027 elections before pursuing reforms, but critics see him as an obstacle to change