Anwar Ibrahim: The Malaysian Prime Minister Navigating a Complex World

Tue Oct 28 2025 23:03:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's Prime Minister, has made headlines by orchestrating significant diplomatic engagements, including a controversial peace deal with Thailand and Cambodia, while balancing increasing domestic pressures and external expectations.

Anwar Ibrahim, who faced a tumultuous political journey characterized by imprisonment and rivalry, is currently at the helm of Malaysia during a critical time. His recent actions include securing a trade agreement with the U.S. and facilitating peace talks in Southeast Asia, against a backdrop of political stability and rising domestic unrest tied to economic challenges. Anwar's tenure exemplifies the delicate balance between domestic and foreign policy as he prepares for the 2028 elections.

I was in prison but you almost got there, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim joked to US President Donald Trump as the cameras rolled. It was a dicey joke—one he quickly moved on from given Trump's less-than amused demeanor. But also arguably one only a veteran politician basking in his recent wins would dare make.

He had just signed a deal with Trump to lower tariffs on Malaysian exports to the US from 24% to 19%. Although many other details remain unclear, any assurance that levies will not rise further is welcome amid all the uncertainty.

Most importantly, Anwar had secured Trump's attendance at a regional summit whose relevance has been repeatedly questioned. The US president was at the meeting of the Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN, in Kuala Lumpur solely to preside over a highly publicized peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia, which Anwar orchestrated.

He also brokered the fragile ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia after deadly border clashes earlier this year—stepping in after Trump threatened to impose tariffs on both sides if the fighting didn't stop. Some called it a diplomatic victory for Malaysia, while others said Anwar was simply in the right place at the right time—this year, it was the Malaysian PM's turn to lead ASEAN.

Anwar would argue he waited 25 years for his turn—a turbulent time in the wings, during which he was jailed twice.

Tumultuous Path to Power

Anwar first made his name as a charismatic firebrand student leader who founded Malaysia's Islamic youth movement, ABIM. In 1982, he joined the long-ruling party United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), surprising many who had expected him to steer clear of the establishment. This move proved canny—he climbed the ladder rapidly and held multiple ministerial posts.

In 1993, he became deputy to then-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and was widely seen as his heir-apparent until they fell out over the handling of the Asian financial crisis in 1997. Anwar was sacked the next year, then jailed for sodomy and corruption—charges he denies to this day, claiming they were part of a smear campaign against him.

After the 2018 elections, in a historic victory, Mahathir came out of retirement to run for top office, promising to free Anwar if elected and eventually hand over the PM job. Their coalition won, but the alliance began to unravel as Mahathir kept shifting the goalposts for handing over power. In the 2022 election, Anwar's coalition won the most seats but fell short of the number needed to form a government. After days of deadlock, the king appointed him PM.

Now, nearly three years on, the 78-year-old has held onto the job longer than his three predecessors.

Stable but Polarised

Anwar's biggest achievement is perhaps the political stability he brought to a nation that cycled through three prime ministers between 2020 and 2021.

However, rising costs of living have sparked protests, and his administration faces accusations of not doing enough to foster inclusivity amid rising Islamism. Critics cite incidents of religious outrage and question his commitment to anti-corruption, particularly after dropping multiple charges against allies.

The Diplomatic Dance

Internationally, Anwar has been adept, balancing the critical relationship between the US and China amid escalating tensions. His diplomatic engagements have included inviting Xi Jinping to regional summits and actively visiting ASEAN countries. While his role in the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire has bolstered his standing, many Malaysians are concerned about domestic issues overshadowing such achievements.

As Anwar advocates for the Palestinian cause in response to unrest in Gaza, he must also navigate the complexities of maintaining relations with powerful allies like the US. His ability to balance these various demands on the domestic and international fronts will be essential for his long-term survival, particularly with elections approaching in 2028.