Anwar Ibrahim mints a dynasty – but Malaysia's youth aren't buying it
Anwar Ibrahim 's decades-long struggle for reform once inspired a generation to take to the streets, railing against corruption and cronyism.
But two years into his tenure as prime minister, the political realities of governance have begun to erode his once-revered 'Reformasi' brand. Critics accuse him of compromising principles for political survival, settling old scores and devising a dynastic succession through his daughter,
Nurul Izzah Anwar
These are not qualities likely to inspire
Malaysia 's 10 million young voters, many of whom feel besieged by the rising cost of living, stagnant wages, a failing healthcare system and schools that do not prepare them for the future job market.
'People said only he could fix the country,' Ahmad Riza, a 25-year-old marketing executive, told This Week in Asia. 'But two years on, he's just another politician.'
His sentiments echo those of many within his generation. While voters aged 18 to 39 were decisive to Anwar's win in
the 2022 general election , polling suggests they are increasingly indifferent to the political mythologies that defined their parents' loyalties.
Anwar Ibrahim shows his ballot at a polling station during the 2022 election. Photo: AP
'My father was a big fan,' said Tobias Lim, a 20-year-old engineering student. 'But I never quite understood why. I see him as a politician for the older generation, not so much for the people my age.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
Vietnam faces ‘long' list of ‘tough' US demands to cut Chinese imports in tariff talks
The US sent a 'long' list of 'tough' requests to Vietnam in its tariff negotiations, including demands that could force the country to cut its reliance on Chinese industrial goods imports, two people briefed about the matter said. Advertisement Washington wants Vietnam-based factories to reduce their use of materials and components from China and is asking the country to control more carefully its production and supply chains, one of the people briefed on the talks said, without elaborating on whether quantitative targets were included. The list is part of an 'annex' to a framework text prepared by US negotiators, according to four people familiar with the matter. One of them, who had direct access to the document, said the list was sent to Hanoi at the end of May after the conclusion of a second round of talks with Washington aimed at avoiding 46 per cent 'reciprocal' tariffs on imports from Vietnam. The sources declined to be named because those discussions were not public. Advertisement
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- South China Morning Post
‘Mark him for life': Singapore teen's parents want Ian Fang caned for sexual offences
The parents of a teenage girl in Singapore have called for stronger punishment for former actor Ian Fang, after he was convicted of having underage sex with their daughter. Fang, 35, was sentenced to 40 months' jail on May 19 after pleading guilty to sexual offences involving a minor. He did not face caning for the sexual offences he committed against the then 15-year-old girl. The victim's parents, however, have called for Fang to be caned. 'Mark him for life. He marked my daughter for life,' the girl's father told national broadcaster CNA. 'Let the guy learn. Like that, every time he takes off his clothes, people can see … he did something bad in the past.' The couple also said they intended to sue Fang. In June last year, Fang engaged in mostly unprotected sex with the victim on nine occasions, despite knowing that she was underage. He was 34 at the time of the offences, and worked as an acting teacher at a modelling school for students aged four to 14.
South China Morning Post
2 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong firms favour mainland, South Asia for growth in snub to US, Europe: survey
Hong Kong companies favour markets closer to home and in Southeast Asia to grow their businesses because of higher tariffs and other trade barriers in the US and Europe, according to a survey by HSBC, with many expressing confidence about their expansion plans. Advertisement They include EzyGreenPak, a year-old start-up offering environmentally friendly packaging products made of water-soluble and biodegradable non-woven fabrics, which is setting its sight on gaining new customers in Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia, founder Wendy Lam said. 'Rising shipping and air transport costs, along with high tariff barriers, have prompted us to relegate the US and European Union markets in our priority list,' she said, adding that the firm had held an exhibition in Bangkok to gauge market conditions. 'These factors create disadvantages for our development goals.' EzyGreenPak founder Wendy Lam. Photo: Handout The pivot is supported by Hong Kong and Beijing's efforts to forge stronger ties with markets in Southeast Asia and the Middle East as US-China trade ties remain tense, after President Donald Trump launched his so-called reciprocal tariffs and the EU slapped punitive tariffs on China's electric vehicle exports. Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po held meetings with Hou Yanqi, China's top officials in Southeast Asia in January to boost bilateral trade and investment. Chan also led a delegation to the Middle East, laying the foundation for stronger financial market linkages. One in four Hong Kong companies considered expanding into South Asia, according to HSBC, which surveyed 5,750 global firms in 13 markets from April 30 to May 12 about tariffs and international trade. Half of the Hong Kong respondents named mainland China as their top pick, while 23 per cent chose Europe, it said. Advertisement Nearly three-quarters of Hong Kong businesses said they were confident about growing their business globally over the next two years, the survey showed, despite Trump jacking up tariffs on Hong Kong exports to as high as 54 per cent in April.
