No News Is Bad News
Will Budget 2024 re-inforce Anwar as one of the best finance ministers again?
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14, 2023: Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, presented his maiden Budget 2024 yesterday.
Anwar was internationally recognised as one of the best and most competent finance ministers in the world when he steered Malaysia into five successive budget surpluses when he was finance minister under the racist Dr Mahathir Mohamad regime in the 70s.
Anwar did no former finance minister could achieve - not even Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - and till today, those were the only years from 1970 that the Malaysian governments had seen national budget surpluses.
Give Anwar and his Madani Unity Government (UG) some space and time, and Malaysians will see whether Anwar has lost his touch in managing the country’s financial and economic well being.
No News Is Bad News reproduce above a Singapore Straits Times report on Anwar’s Budget 2024 and below, two online news round-ups, and an old posting:
Winners and losers of the 2024 budget
Which companies stand to gain the most or face business challenges from the budget policies announced today?
Bloomberg - 13 Oct 2023, 10:29pm
The government has announced plans to revive five LRT stations, build an LRT line in Penang and widen the North-South Highway. (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia unveiled a RM393.8 billion spending plan as the country aims to reduce its budget deficit in 2024 and boost investor confidence with its fiscal discipline. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his government will trim spending on subsidies by around RM11.5 billion as it moves toward targeted assistance, while aiming to grow the economy by 4% to 5% next year.
Here’s a look at some of the key winners and losers.
Construction sector
The government has planned several infrastructure jobs for next year including the revival of five previously cancelled stations for its light-rail transit LRT3 project worth RM4.7 billion. It also backed a new light-rail transit for Penang estimated at RM10 billion and will widen the country’s main interstate highway. This should be a boost for construction and engineering firms such as Gamuda Bhd and WCT Holdings Bhd.
Poultry industry
Malaysia announced the lifting of price controls on chicken and eggs, in place from 2022, which may benefit poultry firms such as Lay Hong Bhd and Leong Hup International Bhd. “There were reports of some companies not being able to sustain their operations” due to the price controls, said Amarjeet Singh of Ernst & Young.
New energy players
Malaysia will continue to expand its electric vehicle charging infrastructure and encourage EV adoption through rebates, which will help players such as Yinson Holdings Bhd. It will also increase the installation of solar panels, including at government premises, in partnership with Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
Losers
Logistics, entertainment
Malaysia will raise its services tax to 8% from 6% and will widen the scope of taxable services to include entertainment activities and logistics. This could affect companies such as Genting Malaysia Bhd and possibly Capital A Bhd’s fledgling logistics arm. Essential services such as food and beverages as well as telecommunications are excluded from the levy increase.
Sugary beverages
The government will also raise the excise duty on sugary drinks, which may affect beverage makers such as Nestle Malaysia Bhd. “This was expected, it is a significant increase,” Amarjeet said. “The players will have to reconfigure the content of sugar.”
Tobacco
Malaysia will also increase its excise duty on tobacco products, as it continues to pursue anti-smoking legislation. This could potentially hurt tobacco firms such British American Tobacco (M) Bhd even as the company tries to diversify its offerings from cigarettes.
MALAYSIA
Budget 2024 highlights
Budget 2024 involves an allocation of RM393.8 billion with RM303.8 billion for operating expenditure
Updated 9 hours ago · Published on 13 Oct 2023 9:12PM
Anwar presenting Budget 2024 themed "Reformasi Ekonomi, Memperkasakan Rakyat" in the Dewan Rakyat - Facebook pic, October 13, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR - Following are the highlights of Budget 2024 tabled in Dewan Rakyat today by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Themed "Reformasi Ekonomi, Memperkasakan Rakyat" (Economic Reform, Empowering People), Budget 2024 involves an allocation of RM393.8 billion with RM303.8 billion for operating expenditure while the remaining RM90 billion for development expenditure, with RM2 billion in contingency savings.
This is the second budget presented by Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, since the formation of the Unity Government in November 2022. Last February, Anwar presented a revised budget amounting to RM388.1 billion.
- Unemployment rate stands at 3.4 per cent as of August 2023
- Government proposes to increase Service Tax to 8 per cent compared to 6 per cent currently
- Proposed Service Tax hike excludes food, beverages and telecommunications
- Targeted subsidy to be implemented in stages starting 2024
- Savings from targeted subsidies to be used to increase Rahmah Cash Aid allocation from RM8 billion to RM10 billion
- Price controls for chicken and eggs to be lifted to allow local market to function freely in ensuring a guaranteed supply
- Targeted subsidies are not an excuse to hike prices arbitrarily and unreasonably
- RM2.4 billion is allocated to build, maintain, repair quarters for civil servants, teachers, hospitals, police, armed forces, firefighters
- RM18 million allocation to undertake legislative reforms
- RM38 million is allocated for boosting the productivity of the judiciary
- RM150 million allocated to maintain, repair public toilets in 150 local authorities nationwide
- RM2.8 billion is set aside for maintenance of federal roads, bridges
- Legal Aid Department will be strengthened to ensure equal access to justice for underprivileged citizens
- Electricity bill rebate up to RM40 per month for hardcore poor households to continue with an allocation of RM55 million
- Electricity bill deposit for personal account to be exempted
- Government to double the allocation for the National Scam Response Centre to RM20 million to enhance its function to combat scam-related crimes
- Bank Negara Malaysia in collaboration with the financial sector is developing
- National Fraud Portal, expected to be ready by mid-2024
- Development allocation to Sabah and Sarawak to be increased, with Sabah getting RM6.6 billion compared to RM6.5 billion previously, while Sarawak getting RM5.8 billion compared to RM5.6 billion previously.
- Transfer of regulatory powers for Sabah’s electricity supply to the state government to take effect on Jan 3, 2024.
- RM6.8 billion is allocated for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) education next year
- 2026 has been set as Visit Malaysia Year, targeting the arrival of 26.1 million foreign tourists and an estimated domestic spending of RM97.6 billion
- Government to set aside RM350 million to boost tourism promotion and activities in Malaysia
- Government to relax the conditions of Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) application to increase the arrival of foreign tourists and investors to Malaysia
- RM2.4 billion allocated to Felda, Felcra and Risda to boost agri-commodity activities, enhance socio-economic wellbeing of smallholders
- Prasarana to acquire 150 electric buses and build three bus depots at a cost of RM600 million
- Putrajaya will serve as Malaysia's low carbon city model
- Federal government plans to use electric vehicles (EVs) as official vehicles
- A total of 33 high-priority flood mitigation projects to be implemented next year with a cost of RM11.8 billion
- RM300 million allocated to National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) for flood preparedness
- RM2.6 billion allocated in subsidies, incentives for padi farmers, fishermen
- Government to increase floor price of rice to RM1,300 per metric tonne to boost farmers’ income
- RM400 million is set aside to implement Food Security Strengthening programmme
- RM50 million to be provided under the Agricultural Disaster Fund to compensate up to 50 per cent of the value of losses due to disasters
- Fishermen to receive a monthly subsistence allowance of up to RM300 and a catch incentive of up to RM1,000
- Government to allocate RM58.1 billion to fund various initiatives including subsidies, incentives and assistance, with almost 50 per cent of the allocation for controlling prices of goods and services.
- Government allocates RM200 million to continue the implementation of Payung Rahmah initiatives
- Allocation for Rahmah Cash Aid (STR) raised to RM10 billion from RM8 billion in 2023, to benefit nine million recipients
- First STR payments for households increased to RM500 next year from RM300 previously, to be disbursed before Ramadan
- Maximum rate for STR raised to RM3,700 from RM3,100 previously, while minimum rate for youths increased to RM500 from RM350 previously
- Over RM2.4 billion allocated to Social Welfare Department (JKM) to benefit more than 450,000 people including hardcore poor households, elderly, children, disabled
- Education Ministry gets the biggest allocation of RM58.7 billion under Budget 2024 compared to RM55.2 billion in 2023
- RM1.9 billion is allocated for upgrading and maintaining schools nationwide next year
- Higher Education Ministry is allocated RM16.3 billion, up from RM15.3 billion in 2023
- Government agrees to provide discounts for PTPTN loan repayments starting from Oct 14, 2023 until March 31, 2024
- Health Ministry is allocated RM41.2 billion next year, up from RM36.3 billion in 2023
- Excise duty rate for sugary drinks will be raised from 40 sen to 50 sen per litre.
- MADANI Medical Scheme to be expanded nationwide with an allocation of RM100 mln, to benefit 700,000 people
- A total of RM1.1 billion was allocated to resolve water supply woes particularly in Kelantan, Sabah and Labuan.
- RM60 million to develop 5G Cyber Security Testing Framework and local expertise on 5G technology
- Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway to be completed in 2024.
- A total of RM2.47 billion allocated for the implementation of people's housing projects in 2024
- RM19.7 billion allocated for Defence Ministry, RM19 billion for Home Ministry
- RM1.9 billion allocated for the management and development of Islamic affairs
- Up to RM1,000 tax relief limit for the purchase of sports equipment and activities
- Civil servants in grades 56 and below including contract staff to receive RM2,000 incentive, to be paid end-Feb 2024
- Government pensioners including veterans to receive RM1,000, to be paid end-Feb 2024 - Bernama, October 13, 2023
Monday, 12 June 2023
Like it or not, Anwar’s still the best man for Malaysia’s economy
No News Is Bad News
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| How Anwar performed as Finance Minister 23 Feb 2012 Whatever you may think of Anwar, he did manage to reduce the country’s budget deficit (as a percentage of GDP) and later even presided over surplus years. Anwar was appointed Finance Minister in 1991 in the Mahathir administration and deputy PM in 1993. He was ousted from power in 1998. Some (including me) may have reservations about what they perceive to be his neo-liberal inclinations, but it has to be said that we haven’t seen a surplus since Anwar was unceremoniously thrown out of office. In fact, those five years of surpluses are the only years the government has achieved a surplus from 1970 until now. No kidding – look at the figures from 1970 (figures from Bank Negara) … for more, go to http://anilnetto.com/economy/malaysian-financebusiness/how-anwar-performed-as-finance-minister-part-1/ |
Like it or not, Anwar’s still the best man for Malaysia’s economy
KUALA LUMPUR, June 12, 2023: Malaysia’s 12th prime minister (PM), Anwar Ibrahim, is the only PM in history to not take his pay.
This shows the economy is in dire straits, saddled with a national debt of more than RM1.5 trillion.
This is no thanks to previous PMs and their administrative failures to protect the national coffer from being siphoned away. They kept on borrowing like kingdom come to spend, thereby emptying the national coffer.
The future of our children and generations are at stake and Anwar is using all his six years experience as Finance Minister to try and heal the economy. He is also the only finance minister to deliver six successive surplus budgets.
Anwar is now not only PM but also finance minister of a Unity Government that is backed by 19 political parties with a two-third majority in the 222-seat Parliament.
For him to be able to heal Malaysia’s economy, he will need political stability so as not to be distracted in his strive for the rakyat dan negara (people and country).
Like it or not, Anwar is still the best man for the job of Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, and voters will do well to remember this.
Or else, Malaysia’s socio-economic growth is likely to go back several steps under the Taliban-like PAS dominating Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN).
No News Is Bad News reproduces below an online news portal Free Malaysia Today report, its previous posting and “A Study Of Anwar Ibrahim”:
I don’t want govt’s debt to rise further, says PM
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says he will start taking his salary as prime minister only when the economy recovers.
Anne Muhammad - 12 Jun 2023, 7:10pm
Anwar Ibrahim said taking on massive debts would be detrimental for future generations of Malaysians.
SHAH ALAM: The unity government is working hard to spur economic recovery as it wants to reduce its national debt which has breached the RM1.5 trillion mark, says Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said taking up loans so that Putrajaya could “spend as much as possible” would only cause the economy to languish.
“Therefore, I do not want (Malaysia’s) debt to rise. We must lower our debt level. Deficits mean that we’re spending over our limits,” he said in a speech while addressing Selangor civil servants at Dewan Jubli Perak here.
The prime minister added that taking on massive debts would be detrimental for future generations of Malaysians and would be an irresponsible move.
He took a dig at a “former prime minister and finance minister”, who had purportedly said the government could just take on debts to fund its spending if it lacked funds.
“But this is irresponsible. Who will pay off (the debt)? It will be our children.”
Anwar also quipped that he can finally receive his salary as prime minister once the economy recovers. He pointed out that he has not been taking his wages for helming the top post over the past six months.
“When the economy recovers, I can then take a salary again. But until the economy recovers, I will not take my salary,” he said.
He also drew comparisons with Indonesia and pointed out that Jakarta made drastic spending cuts, even making massive cuts on subsidies for electricity tariffs across the board.
However, Anwar said he would not emulate such drastic moves as it would burden Malaysians. - FMT
MALAYSIA
Don’t allow S’gor to be taken, Anwar stresses its importance to economy
PM notes state is unity govt stronghold, praises MB’s performance
Updated 13 hours ago · Published on 12 Jun 2023 6:56PM
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister, says Selangor, as one of the states that have shown the most progress, must strive even further. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, June 12, 2023
SHAH ALAM – Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the people to do their part in defending the Selangor government based on the state’s performance and its importance to the national economy.
“Looking at Selangor’s performance, there is much more potential to offer, and Selangor plays an important role in defending the strength of the national economy. That is why there are many who want to get their hands on it… don’t allow them that opportunity,” Anwar, who is prime minister, said.
He said this at the prime minister’s special mandate for Selangor civil servants, which was attended by some 1,500 state civil servants here today.
“I am counting on all of you in Selangor as Selangor is our bastion. Selangor is the unity government’s stronghold. We should not support a government merely to retain it, but because we recognise its performance and its commitment to save the state and country,” he said.
However, Anwar said Selangor’s position could be threatened if the opposition continued playing on racial and religious sentiments with the aim of swaying young voters.
Selangor, along with Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan and Terengganu, is facing state polls soon.
Anwar also praised the performance of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari’s administration over the past five years but added that he (Anwar) was constantly reminding Amirudin not to rest on his laurels.
“Amirudin has shown seriousness and has performed well, although as the elder brother I am always giving him advice and pushing him harder. This is important as we want to raise the dignity and status of both state and country.
“If we are merely contented, comfortable with furnishing favourable reports, it won’t raise (the nation’s performance). That is why we must continue to make changes and this requires new measures and ideas… a propensity to change,” he said.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, said Selangor, as one of the states that have shown the most progress, must strive even further.
“This means that even if we are already good, we can be better and be an example (for the other states).” – Bernama, June 12, 2023
Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Anwar has proven track record in managing Malaysia’s financial health
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| How Anwar performed as Finance Minister 23 Feb 2012 Whatever you may think of Anwar, he did manage to reduce the country’s budget deficit (as a percentage of GDP) and later even presided over surplus years. Anwar was appointed Finance Minister in 1991 in the Mahathir administration and deputy PM in 1993. He was ousted from power in 1998. Some (including me) may have reservations about what they perceive to be his neo-liberal inclinations, but it has to be said that we haven’t seen a surplus since Anwar was unceremoniously thrown out of office. In fact, those five years of surpluses are the only years the government has achieved a surplus from 1970 until now. No kidding – look at the figures from 1970 (figures from Bank Negara) … for more, go to http://anilnetto.com/economy/malaysian-financebusiness/how-anwar-performed-as-finance-minister-part-1/ |
As Malaysia’s former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim makes his comeback bid to Parliament in the Port Dickson by-election, Malaysians must give serious consideration to his track record as a former Finance Minister.
Anwar did no former Finance Minister could achieve - not even Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah - and that is to steer Malaysia to five consecutive years of national budget surpluses.
Also, those were the only years from 1970 that the Malaysian governments had seen national budget surpluses.
So, before anyone or Malaysia starts labelling Anwar as a bullshitter in the country’s finaces and economy, do think twice about his track record.
And, Malaysia would indeed see better times, hopefully, if and when he succeeds Dr Mahathier Mohamad (Dr M) as Prime Minister in two years time?
At the recent S Rajaratnam Endowment Dialogue in Singapore, Anwar said he was greatly optimistic that Malaysia can be transformed into a new economic force in the region.
He attributed such strong expectations to Malaysia’s “vibrant pro-growth policies, stable and clean business environment.”
“With the rule of law prevailing and democratic institutions firmly in place … I believe, God Willing, Malaysia will emerge once again as an exemplary economic power,” he added.
Even Singapore’s Premier Lee Hsien Loong, wrote on his Facebook, wished Anwar “all the best in the upcoming by-election in Port Dickson”.
Is it that easy to get the kiasu and kiasi (fear of loss and fear of death) Singaporeans and their leader’s respect, if you do not have the leadership quality to steer Malaysia to greater heights?
Do read on for more:
"THE POTENTIAL IS BACK! MALAYSIA SET TO BECOME NEW ECONOMIC FORCE IN THE REGION – ANWAR
Politics | September 16, 2018
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“With the rule of law prevailing and democratic institutions firmly in place.. I believe, God Willing, Malaysia will emerge once again as an exemplary economic power,” he added.
The Dialogue was a key programme of the Singapore Summit 2018 held at the Shangri-La Hotel here.
Also presence were Singapore Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings, Ho Ching.
The Singapore Summit is organised by the Temasek Foundation Connects with the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board, GIC Pte Ltd, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade & Industry, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Temasek.
Taking a question from the floor on Singapore-Malaysia relations, Anwar who is also Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president-elect asked in turn, “is there any problem?”.
“I honestly don’t believe that there is a problem (between the two countries),” he said and received a round of applause.
Anwar who is also the de facto leader of the governing Pakatan Harapan coalition in Malaysia also made a promise, saying: “If and when I assume the premiership I will make sure the first country I visit is Singapore.” — Bernama/Malaysia Chronicle
NEW MALAYSIA: A NATION OF THINKERS, HARD WORKERS & DOERS – IMPOSSIBLE UNDER CORRUPT NAJIB & LAZY UMNO BUT NOT ANYMORE
Politics | September 16, 2018
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These two days are and always should be special to all Malaysians—whatever our backgrounds or political alignments.
Genuine patriotism comes from the ground-up.
Flying the Jalur Gemilang shouldn’t be contingent on what we feel about our country’s current political scenario or its leaders. What is most important is the flag that we fly in our hearts and minds.
Still, the celebration of our national days in 2018 will be extra memorable given that it will be under a new government.
We can be proud of how far we have come since 9 May 2018, to say nothing of 31 August 1957 and 16 September 1963. All Malaysians should certainly be grateful, too.
But we still have a long, long way to go.
The process of political and institutional reform in the New Malaysia must continue unimpeded, even if certain quarters tell us otherwise.
Repressive laws must be done away with. The independence of our public institutions—including the media—must be strengthened. We must restore checks-and-balances between the different branches of our government:
the executive, legislature and judiciary. The country is not going to become a backwater simply because one branch doesn’t have absolute power over the others.
Let us not forget the lessons of history: economic reform in Malaysia will fail without greater democracy, transparency and civil liberties.
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As such, political reform is the key to developing Malaysia—not an obstacle.
There is also a need to perfect our union.
The developmental inequities between the different regions of our country: between the Peninsula and Sabah and Sarawak, between the West Coast of the Peninsula and the East Coast, between the Orang Asal communities and the rest of the country, certainly need to be addressed.
But it is equally important to bridge the “gaps” between and within the different races and religions.
The difficult questions and controversies over ethnicity, faith, gender, sexuality, language and culture we have faced will continue.
Perhaps these will always be with us.
I do know that Malaysia will never be at peace with itself if we run away from these questions or refuse to debate them.
Clearly there is a lot to do.
But Malaysians have always been thinkers, hard workers and doers.
They must hold those in power accountable. Maintaining our constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy requires constant vigilance.
Freedom and diversity are not aberrations, but Malaysia’s heritage.
That is the only way we can live up to Tunku Abdul Rahman’s dream that our nation “…shall be for ever a sovereign democratic and independent State founded upon the principles of liberty and justice and ever seeking the welfare and happiness of its people and the maintenance of a just peace among all nations.”
That is the destiny we must fulfil for our nation founded on the principles of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy.
Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad – Mysinchew/Malaysia Chronicle"
‘ALL THE BEST IN PD BY-ELECTION’ – HSIEN LOONG GIVES ANWAR THE THUMBS-UP IN SINGAPORE
Politics | September 16, 2018 by | 0 Comments
SINGAPORE – Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today wished Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim “all the best” in the upcoming by-election in Port Dickson.
“Caught up with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in my office today. We last met when I visited Putrajaya in May,” wrote Lee on his Facebook page.
The posting was accompanied a photo of him with Anwar, Malaysia’s prime minister-in-waiting.
Anwar, Parti Keadilan Rakyat president elect and de facto leader of the governing Pakatan Harapan coalition in Malaysia has chosen the Port Dickson seat to pave the way for his political comeback.
In his posting, Lee also acknowledged that Anwar spoke at the Singapore Summit 2018 which was held today at Shangri-La Hotel.
He noted that Anwar will be here again next week to speak at the Singapore Management University.
Anwar will speak at the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership Lecture Series on Sept 20.
“Glad he is spending some time with our academic institutions, meeting Singaporeans, building bridges, and strengthening ties between our countries,” Lee added.
Among others, at the S Rajaratnam Endowment Dialogue, a key programme of the Singapore Summit 2018, Anwar spoke about Singapore-Malaysia relations.
At the Dialogue, Anwar also made a promise, saying: “If and when I assume the premiership, I will make sure the first country I visit is Singapore.”
Singapore’s former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and Chief Executive Officer of Temasek Holdings Ho Ching were also present at the Dialogue. — Bernama
UKESSAYS.COM
THE ESSAY WRITING EXPERTS
A Study Of Anwar Ibrahim
Introduction
Anwar Ibrahim is without a doubt one of the most influential politician ever to emerge after our nation`s Independence Day in 1957.Without any sufficient political background he struggles through the political period during his University life.
Although not famous at that time, his social, political and economical ideas gained a rapid support from the community when he became the Deputy Prime Minister in 1993. His involvement in politics was a success, with his ideology being accepted by the community in a great variety from the aspect of social to politics.
Anwar Ibrahim was born on 10th August 1947 in a small village on the mainland in Sungai Bakap, Seberang Prai and was raised in Cherok To’Kun.He received his early education in Sekolah Melayu Cherok To’Kun and Sekolah Rendah Stowell, Bukit Mertajam, one of the renown primary school in Penang.
Anwar Ibrahim was raised in a comfortable middle class family with his father, Ibrahim Abdul Rahman who was a porter in a hospital and his mom, Che Yan, a housewife. However, both his parent got involved in politics when, his father became a politician and retired as a Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health.
Similarly his mother also joined the UMNO. After finishing his high school in 1967, he enrolled his secondary education in Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK) till 1966.during his period MCKK, he actively involved himself in interschool debate competitions and was subsequently elected as the students` president prior to his achievements and reputations in MCKK.
Anwar pursued Malay Studies in one of Malaysia’s top University, University Malaya. In University Malaya, Anwar’s potential as a politician leader became obvious. He became the President of “Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM)”.At the same time he was also the President of Malay Language Society. In University Malaya, Anwar gained his reputation and support by involving himself fiercely in defending the Malay community and the Muslims during the black days, 13th May 1969.
One of the most daring act he had done during the racial war was, joining forces with Dr.Mahathir Mohamad in critising Tunku Abdul Rahman ruling who was the Prime Minister at that time. Since then, Anwar was known as a leader who always fights for students and social rights in his university.
In 1971, he graduated in University Malaya by receiving the “Ijazah Sarjana Muda Sastera”. At the end of the year, the Muslim Youth movement of Malaysia was founded and Anwar became the first president. The Muslim Youth movement by Anwar proved to be one of the most influential societies when Anwar successfully formed a group of potential leaders who implies the teaching of Islam in daily life as well in leadership. His quality as a leader for this society was even approved and appreciated by the President of Pakistan, Zia Ul-Haq.
The 1970’s period is well known for its economical crisis in Malaysia due to the decrease in rubber price. Anwar saw his opportunity to solve the problem and gain more support, therefore, he rushed to solve the poverty issue in Baling. He leaded the anti poverty riot in 1974 which has landed him a punishment in ISA without trial where he spent almost two years in Kamunting detention center.
In the year 1982, the supporters were astonished by the news saying that Anwar was stepping into the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). This is because he was a organisation which is also known as Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) during that year too. It is known as the most organized force in Islamic revivalism in Malaysia. Meanwhile, United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) was lead by Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad in the year 1981.
Anwars involvement in defending the rights and justice of the society made the UMNO to set an eye on him. The UMNO sees him as a potential leader and soon, he was brought in the political party. In 1982, Anwar became the parliamentary speaker for Permatang Pauh. Later, he was designated as the Deputy Prime Minister.
Anwar Ibrahim was a potential leader who has the ability and power to influence and affect human behaviour and accomplished mission. Due to his leadership qualities, he obtained a lot of support from the public. This was the main factor Anwar was elected as the president of the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students from the year 1968 to 1971.
In 1983, Anwar became the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. He also held the position of Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Education and finally as the Minister of Finance in 1991.
In the 1990’s, Anwar’s relationship with Prime Minister, Dr.Mahathir Mohammed had begun to deteriorate. 1990’s witnessed the downfall of Anwar, Anwar was framed and claimed to be involved in many foul play in politics such as corruption. He was alleged under nepotism and cronyism in 1999 and was sentenced to prison for six years. In the year 2000, he was sentenced for another nine years for a sodomy case.
After his release, Anwar won the Permatang Pauh by-election in 2008.This marks the rise of a politician after all the struggles he went through.
Anwar Ibrahim is a very influential man. He is known to have numerous connections with various politicians in different countries. He too, took part in a lot of uprising political activities.
Anwar Ibrahim : The Rise
The first stage as we can see began during his years at the University of Malaya. He was the president in many societies. As we can see, he was the president of the Malay Language Society University (PBMUM). Persatuan Bahasa Melayu Universiti Malaya (Malay for University of Malaya Malay Language Society) (PBMUM) is a Malay language, literature and culture oriented student body that has played an active role in the development of the modern Malay language in Malaysia and Singapore.
It is marked as one of the most influential bodies in history of language development in Malaysia. The mission of PBMUM is committed towards the development of the Malay culture and language. The core of PBMUM’s principle in 1954 was to persuade the Malayan government to recognise the Malay language as its national language.
So, by recognising PBMUM’s voice and struggle, the Majlis Undangan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu (Malayan Council) finally agreed on to make the Malay language as Malaya’s national language on 31 march 1995. PBMUM believes that it represents the voice of the people. PBMUM stands strongly against racism and upholds the view that its primary principle is in the development of the nation. Anwar, as the president of PBUM, had championed the implementation of Malay as the national language of our nation.
By the time he completed his university studies, Anwar was already a popular national figure actively pursuing the reform agenda. He formed the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia (ABIM) in 1971. It is to promote and uphold the principles of moderate Islam and to campaign for moral uplifting and social justice. After Anuar had been completed his study in university, he holds many ministerial post. He also had been married to Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. They also have 6 children, Nurul Izzah Anwar Ehsan Anwar Nurul Nuha Anwar and 3 others.
In the year 1982, the supporters were astonished by the news saying that Anwar was stepping into the United Malays National Organization (UMNO). Anwar was invited to join the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in 1982 by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Anwar has also been highly engaged in the international arena.
He has been a strong advocate for dialogue among civilizations and has worked tirelessly towards the ideals of the mutual coexistence of civilizations and the interplay of different social, cultural, and spiritual ideas. Between 1995 and 1998, he organized a series of conferences on the Asian Renaissance, aimed at crossing geo-political barriers between societies and nations and creating political structures to promote dialogue across cultures.
His first posts in the government were as the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1983. After that, in 1984 he headed the agriculture ministry before becoming Minister of Education in 1986. By then, speculation was rife about Anwar’s ascent to the Deputy Prime Minister’s position as it was a commonly-occurring phenomenon in Malaysia for the Education Minister to assume the position of Deputy PM in the near future.
Anwar introduced numerous pro-Malay policies in the national school curriculum when he was in office as Education Minister. He wanted to make many changes in education system, for example one of the major changes that he did was to rename the national language from Bahasa Malaysia to Bahasa Melayu. However, the changes were criticized by Non-Malays. It was because, they had thought this move would cause the younger generation to be detached from the national language, since they would attribute it to being something that belongs to the Malays and not to Malaysians. Furthermore in 1991, he had been appointed as Minister of Finance.
In 1993, he became Mahathir’s Deputy Prime Minister after winning the Deputy Presidency of UMNO against Ghafar Baba. Because of that, Anwar had been accused at using large cash payments to win support. To secure his position as deputy president of UMNO, Anwar was alleged to have resorted to money politics. Anwar’s followers were seen by foreign journalists handing out packets of money to acquire support of UMNO division leaders.
The followers, after a brief interview, are said to be working under Anwar’s instructions. Anwar was being groomed to succeed Tun Mahathir as Prime Minister, and frequently eluded in public to his “son-father” relationship with Tun Mahathir. So, Tun Mahathir appointed Anwar to be acting Prime Minister while he took a two-month holiday in early 1997. However, the relationship with Mahathir had begun to deteriorate, towards the end of the 1990s. It also triggered by their conflicting views on the governance of the country.
In Mahathir’s absence, Anwar had independently taken radical steps to improve the country’s governing mechanisms which were in direct conflict with Mahathir’s capitalist policies. Issues such as how Malaysia would respond to a financial crisis were often at the forefront of this conflict. Mahathir angered when Anwar’s frontal attack against what he described as the widespread culture of nepotism and cronyism within UMNO. It shows that as did his attempts to dismantle the protectionist policies that Mahathir had set up.
Cronyism was identified by Anwar as a major cause of corruption and misappropriation of funds in the country. The events of late 1998 marked the beginning of Anwar’s descent within UMNO and his subsequent ouster from the party and from Malaysian politics. Asian Financial Crisis occurred in 1997. During that period Anwar, in his capacity as finance minister, supported the International Monetary Fund (IMF) plan for recovery.
An austerity package slashed government spending by 18%, cut ministerial salaries and deferred major investment projects were also instituted by him. Large-scale infrastructure development projects known as “mega projects” were set back as well, despite being a cornerstone of Tun Mahathir’s plans for developing the nation. , Anwar declared: “There is no question of any bailout” although many Malaysian companies faced the threat of bankruptcy.
The banks will be allowed to protect themselves and the government will not interfere. Anwar advocated a free market approach, sympathetic to foreign investment and trade liberalization, whereas Mahathir favored currency and foreign investment controls, blaming unchecked speculation by currency speculators like George Soros for the shrinking economy. There is disagreement among economists whether Anwar’s policies would have been more or less successful than Mahathir’s.
The Malaysian economy had plummeted to its lowest level yet since the recession of the early-1980s, so by the time Mahathir decided to impose currency controls and preventive measures to keep hedge funds in check Anwar had been named as the “Asian of the Year.” in 1998 Newsweek magazine.
However, in that year, matters between Anwar Ibrahim and Tun Mahathir came to a head around the time of the quadrennial UMNO General Assembly. It would initiate a debate on cronyism and nepotism had been given noticed by The Youth wing of UMNO, headed by Anwar’s associate, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The response was swift, as Tun Mahathir issued lists of cronies who had benefited from government share allocations and privatizations. Anwar and Zahid, along with several of Anwar’s other allies also included in the lists.
Anwar’s father and his two brothers are showed to have received shares allocated by the government for the bumiputra. The shares amounted to an amount of about more than 7.1 million units in three companies held by his father Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman and his brothers, Farizan and Marzukhi. On 2 May 1998, Dato’ Ibrahim Abdul Rahman, owned 250,000 shares of Pengkalen Holdings Berhad and 3,790500 on Nissan Industrial Oxygen Incorporated.
Farizon owned 250,000 shares of Pengkalen Holdings Berhad. Marzukhi owned 2,800,000 shares in Penas Corporation. In the list, Datuk Ibrahim Abdul Rahman owned 2,000,000 shares in Industrial Oxygen Incorporated Bhd on 1993. In 1998, Anwar was also chairman of the Development Committee of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. During his tenure he strongly endorsed the initiatives of debt cancellation and reprieve for poor countries, particularly those in Africa.
Anwar was awarded the Presidential Medal by Georgetown University, USA, and an honorary doctorate by the Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines because of his contributions, in 1996. In 1993, shortly after becoming finance minister, Euromoney named him as one of the top four finance ministers; in 1996, Asiamoney named him Finance Minister of the Year. Anwar has held lecturing positions at St. Anthony’s College at Oxford and at the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University since 2004.
He was also a Distinguished Visiting Professor in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Anwar is a consultant to the World Bank in the areas of governance and accountability and was also appointed as honorary president of the London-based group, Accountability in March 2009. He is chairman of the board for the Foundation for the Future and also serves as an adviser to the People’s Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) in Malaysia. He is an internationally renowned speaker on the subjects of democracy, freedom, governance, Islam and democracy, and the need for accountability.
In November 2006, Anwar made a public statement indicating that he would run for Parliament in 2008, after his disqualification is expired. Since he was released from the prison, Anwar has been critical about our government policies, which provides the affirmative action for the Bumiputeras. One of his quotes policies is units of housing and initial public offerings that must be met.
In the year of 1997, Malaysia had to undergo an economic crisis which was known as the Asian Economic Crisis. During this turbulent period, Anwar Ibrahim was holding the post as Minister of Finance of Malaysia. As a capable leader, Anwar had taken an action by introducing a series of economic reforms and austerity measure in order to overcome the economic crisis.
However, this action was intensified a great negative feedback because Anwar was nominated for the controversial amendments for the Anti Corruption Act. This act was being notorious to raise the power in Anti Corruption Agency. On the other hand, the Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad sacked Anwar from all his post, due to the unsatisfactory towards these measurements. As a result, this incident had led to protest from the public and finally formed the Reformasi movement.
At first, the Gerakan Reformasi or Reformation started when Anwar`s wife, Dr Wan Azizah formed Parti Keadilan Nasional (National Justice Party), on 4th April 1999. The party was then joined by the Democratic Action Party (DAP), the Malaysian People’s Party (PRM) and the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) completing a fully fledged opposition coalition known as, Barisan Alternatif (Alternative Front) to take on the ruling Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition in the 1999 general elections.
For which, in the election held that year, he party entered the campaign with many of its key leaders under arrest and as a result saw it winning only five parliamentary seats in the elections despite gaining 11.67% of the total votes cast. The Barisan Alternatif as a whole gained 40.21% of the total votes cast with PAS gaining 27 seats and DAP gaining ten seats.
After the elections, there were negotiations between Parti Keadilan and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) regarding a possible merger of force. Despite some opposition in both parties to the move, a 13 point Memorandum of Understanding was eventually signed by the two parties on 5 July 2002. On 3 August 2003, the new merged entity was officially launched and assumed its current name.
(Current main/head advisor of PKR)
Anwar Ibrahim controversial issues
The first issues that that involve Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim was in 1999 when he was charged under the corruption case. He was sentenced to six years in prison. At the time, Dato Seri Mahathir bin Mohammad was the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Dato Seri Mahathir bin Mohammad is the people who expose the Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim activity and his colony. Then, Dato Seri Mahathir Mohammad was direct the Public Prosecutor to charged Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim under the case of corruption. According to the special branch of the police, Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim also involve in illegal activity. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim was arrested by the police on charged of receiving bribes from the other people using his power as the minister and also the deputy of prime minister at that time.
Then the case was bring to the court and the case is the most controversional issues in Malaysia. Then, the case of Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim was bring to the trial. The trial was held at the Federal Court. The chief judge at that time was Tun Haji Mohamed Salleh bin Abbas. Tun Salleh bin Abbas was the Lord President of the Federal Court of Malaya. Because of the constitutional crisis he was dismissed from his post during the 1988 Malaysian Constitutional crisis. At that time, the executive branch tried to interfere with the judicial branch system.
Dato` Seri Anwar Ibrahim`s second controversial issues was the case of sodomy. At that particular time, the case is look very weird because it is impossible that he is the homosexual. In 1999, Anwar brought legal action against Prime Minister Mahathir for defamation for allegedly uttering accusations of immoral acts and calling Anwar a homosexual at a news conference in Malaysia.
The police were instructed to investigate the veracity of the claims that Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim was the people who make the sodomy. Then, the trial began and Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim was charged with sodomy. He found guilty and was convicted to 15 years in prison sentence. This is because the person who was charged was the Deputy Prime Minister and Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim also has his own followers.
This started a crisis in the government. At this time also, a lot of riot was held. This is because the people were not satisfied with the government who tried to interfere with the judicial system at that time.
(Anwar Ibrahim was released from jail in the year 2004, Federal court acquitted Anwar and Sukma of the sodomy charge. However one of the three judges, Abdul Hamid Mohamad said he was inclined to believe that the alleged incident at Tivoli Villa did take place)
Other issues, that hit Dato` Seri Anwar Ibrahim was charged for a second sodomy trial. This time, Dato` Seri Anwar Ibrahim was charged because of the case sodomy his former private assistant who is Saiful Bukahri. This case was calamity the public because this is the second charged on the same person but different victim. This case also has many doubts about the evidence presented by the prosecute officer evidence presented by the prosecute officer evidence presented by the prosecute officer.
In this case also, the people involved were mostly of the politically active individuals. So, it can be a political technique to not trust the people who involve in the case. If the person is involved this case, he or she would be a political person, his reputation in the politic will go down and the people will not trust anymore about him. This is maybe only the political propaganda.
Besides that, the competitions between the political parties nowadays make the authority lose their power. This is maybe the reason why is this particular thing happening now days. The other issues that Involve Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim is about the Malaysian Defence System. The government said that Dato` Seri Anwar Ibrahim was an America spy in Malaysia.
Anwar Ibrahim`s Contributions In Umno
Anwar Ibrahim joining the United Malays National Organization known as UMNO now days that lead by Dato Seri Mahathir Bin Mohammad, who had become the Prime Minister in 1981. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim moved up the political ranks very quickly and his first ministerial office was in charged by him is the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports in 1983. When he held the post, he administered the government well. At that time also, he had numerous supporters with him.
After that, he was the person who headed the Ministry of Agriculture in 1984 and he moved his post to the Minister of Education on 1986. At that time, he made lots of changes in the Malaysian education system. He also made the education system more sophisticated and systematically advanced. During that period, he wanted to make sure that all citizens will be able to get and enjoy a proper education for the benefit of everyone.
Then, we have heard about speculations regarding Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim holding the post of the Deputy Prime Minister and it was commonly occurring phenomenon in Malaysia or Minister of Education to assume the position of Deputy Prime Minister in the near future.
During his time as Education Minister, Anwar introduced numerous pro-Malay policies in the national school curriculum. One of the major changes that he did was to rename the national language from Bahasa Malaysia to Bahasa Melayu. Non-Malays criticized this move as it would cause the younger generation to be detached from the national language, since they would attribute it to being something that belongs to the Malays and not to Malaysians.
In 1991, Dato` Seri Anwar Ibrahim was appointed Minister of Finance. When he became the Minister of Finance, the government people says that he takes o lat of the government money for his private usage. In 1993, he became Dato` Seri Mahathir Mohammad Deputy Prime Minister after winning the Deputy Presidency of UMNO against Ghafar Baba. There was a report on Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim using large cash payments to win support.
Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim is alleged to have resorted to money politics to secure his position as deputy president of UMNO. Anwar followers were witnessed by even foreign journalists handing out packets of money to acquire support of UMNO division leaders. These followers are said to be working under Anwar’s instructions. Dato` Seri Anwar Ibrahim had a lot of followers and he could achieve many things. Dato` Seri Anwar Ibrahim at that time had a lot of influence.
Towards the end of the 1990s, however, the relationship with Tun Mahathir had begun to deteriorate, triggered by their conflicting views on governance. In Mahathir’s absence, Anwar had independently taken radical steps to improve the country’s governing mechanisms which were in direct conflict with Mahathir’s capitalist policies. Issues such as how Malaysia would respond to a financial crisis were often at the forefront of this conflict.
Anwar’s frontal attack against what he described as the widespread culture of nepotism and cronyism within UMNO (and the ruling coalition as a whole) angered Mahathir, as did his attempts to dismantle the protectionist policies that Mahathir had set up. “Cronyism” was identified by Anwar as a major cause of corruption and misappropriation of funds in the country. The events of late-1998 marked the beginning of Anwar’s descent within UMNO and his subsequent ouster from the party and from Malaysian politics.
Dark period of Anwar Ibrahim
Dark period of Anwar Ibrahim was started on 2 September, when Prime Minister Mahathir dismissed Anwar from the government. He was no longer a deputy prime minister and also finance minister. He was also expelled from UMNO.
Before that, the Youth wing of UMNO, headed by Anwar’s associate Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, gave notice that it would initiate a debate on “cronyism and nepotism”. The response was swift, as Prime Minister Mahathir issued lists of cronies who had benefited from government share allocations and privatizations. The list included Anwar and Zahid, along with several of Anwar’s other allies.
Anwar’s trial and subsequent conviction were widely discredited by the international community. Many world leaders called for his release from prison. On September 29, 1998 Anwar appeared in court and pleaded innocent to charges of corruption and sodomy. The black eye was explained by Mahathir Mohamad and Rahim Noor as being “self-inflicted” and caused by “pressing a glass over his eyes”. Only after a Royal Commission was convened did Rahim Noor admit that he had administered the beating to Anwar.
Rahim apologized for the incident in August 2005. Rahim Noor was eventually charged for the assault and was given a two-month prison sentence and fined 2,000 ringgit.
In 1999, he was sentenced to six years in prison for corruption, and in 2000, to another nine years for sodomy. The police were instructed to investigate the veracity of the claims that he was being a homosexual guy. Anwar was charged with sodomy, convicted and given a 15 year prison sentence.
Anwar’s trial and subsequent conviction were widely discredited by the international community. Many world leaders called for his release from prison. In 1999, Anwar brought legal action against Prime Minister Mahathir for defamation for allegedly uttering accusations of immoral acts and calling Anwar a homosexual at a news conference in Malaysia. However, this verdict was partially overturned in 2004, resulting in Anwar’s release from prison. A panel of three judges of the Federal Court (Malaysia’s highest court) overturned the sodomy conviction by 2 to 1, finding contradictions in the prosecution’s case on 2, September 2004.
After Anwar released from prison, he was reportedly suffering from serious back problem. His family said was the result of the beating by the ex-police chief. the UMNO-owned newspaper, the New Straits Times, alleged that the injuries had actually been caused by a fall from a horse in 1993 during Anwar’s tenure as deputy prime minister. His wife had argued that during his imprisonment that he required treatment for his condition at a clinic in Germany.
The government refused, claiming that such treatment was readily available in Malaysia, offering medical treatment if necessary. However, in September 2004, after the Federal Court quashed his conviction for sodomy, Anwar was free to travel to Munich for back surgery. On August 28, 2008, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia. formally declared Anwar, the leader of the 3-party opposition alliance. Anwar continued to attack Najib first day as prime minister, stating he found inconsistencies in the latter’s decision to release 13 Internal Security Act detainees.
He said as long as the ISA existed, Barisan Nasional (National Front) could still detain citizens at will. Anwar has already missed several deadlines he himself set for the transfer of power, each of which came and went: the most recent was Tuesday 16 September 2008. Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak chose that day to initiate a broadband internet program Anwar opposes, saying that he had not doubted that the government would still be in office on 16 September. Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi too pointed out that Anwar had missed his own deadline, and dismissed his claim to have secured the defection of 30 MPs.
On 24 October 2008, Anwar admitted problems with his stalled bid to topple UMNO’s majority, saying that Pakatan Rakyat is running out of options to create a majority. His “credibility among ordinary Malaysians has been somewhat dented after Sept 16 and the new promise of forming the Government has not generated the sort of anticipation or excitement as before. Media within the country have taken an increasingly hostile view towards Anwar’s protestations and failed threats to assemble a majority government.
Anwar Ibrahim has voiced support to allow the former leader of the Communist Party of Malaya, Chin Peng to be allowed to return to Malaysia. However, his remarks have been slammed by UMNO leaders who called them regrettable to accusation as a plot to gain support of the Chinese community.
On June 29, 2008, an online news portal Malaysia Kini, reported that an aide of Anwar Ibrahim had lodged a police report claiming that he had been sodomised by Anwar. The news has since been updated with reports that SMS messages are being distributed claiming that the person who made the report is Anwar’s aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, who was arrested and allegedly forced to make a false confession. The same text message also claimed the possibility of Anwar being arrested.
Malaysian police issued an arrest warrant on July 15 for Anwar Ibrahim, and investigating Officer Jude Pereira signed and issued the letter requiring Anwar to appear at a police station for questioning before Wednesday at 2 p.m. local time.
Anwar has said that the possibility of a prison sentence as a result of these allegations could be seen as an attempt to remove leadership and transference of power issues caused by his growing support and by-election victories. He also reaffirms his innocence and cites proof in the form of medical reports.
Conspiracy to Bring Anwar Ibrahim down
Financial Crisis:
During the year of 1997 saw Malaysia’s economy being affected by the Asian Financial Crisis. Anwar Ibrahim, as the Finance Minister during that period, in his capacity as a Finance Minister, has taken action to support the International Monetary Fund (IMF) plan for recovery. He also instituted an austerity package that slashed the government spending by 18% by cutting down ministerial salaries and deferred major investment projects.
Not only that, large-scale infrastructure development projects known as ‘mega projects’ were set back as well. Anwar had advocated a free market approach, sympathetic to foreign investment and trade liberalization, whereas Mahathir favored currency and foreign investment control, blaming unchecked speculation by currency speculators for the shrinking economy.
Anwar Ibrahim has also instituted a series of economic reforms and austerity measures in response. These actions were exacerbated when he tabled controversial amendments to the Anti Corrupt Act that sought to increase the powers of the Anti Corruption Agency. Dr. Mahathir, who was the Prime Minister at that time, disagreed with the measures taken by Anwar and had ultimately sacked Anwar from all of his posts and positions. - UKEssays.com
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