Here’s Why Malaysia’s King is Worried About Instability Under Anwar

Malaysia’s political situation has been turbulent and uncertain since the 2018 general election, which resulted in the first-ever change of government in the country’s history. Since then, the country has witnessed three prime ministers, two hung parliaments, and several defections and realignments among the political parties. 

The latest twist in the saga came on November 19, 2022, when Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, was sworn in as the ninth prime minister of Malaysia, after securing the support of a majority of the members of parliament (MPs). However, his appointment has been challenged by his predecessor, Muhyiddin Yassin, who claims that he still commands the confidence of the house. Amid this ongoing power struggle, Malaysia’s king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, has expressed his concern and caution over the threat to the country’s stability and prosperity. Here is why the king is worried and what he has said and done.

Who is the king and what is his role?

The king, or Yang di-Pertuan Agong, is the constitutional monarch and the head of state of Malaysia. He is elected by and among the nine hereditary rulers of the Malay states, who take turns to serve a five-year term. The king’s role is largely ceremonial and symbolic, but he also has some discretionary powers, such as appointing the prime minister, dissolving the parliament, declaring a state of emergency, and granting pardons. The king is also the supreme commander of the armed forces and the head of Islam in the states where he is the ruler.

How did Anwar Ibrahim become the prime minister and why is it controversial?

Anwar Ibrahim is a veteran politician and a former deputy prime minister who was sacked and jailed in 1998 on charges of corruption and sodomy, which he denied and claimed were politically motivated. He later became the leader of the PH coalition, which defeated the long-ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition in the 2018 general election. However, he did not become the prime minister, as he had agreed to let his former mentor and rival, Mahathir Mohamad, take the post first, with the promise of handing over power to him later. This plan was disrupted in February 2020, when Mahathir resigned amid a political crisis that saw several PH MPs defect to form a new coalition with BN and other parties, led by Muhyiddin Yassin, who was then appointed as the prime minister by the king.

Anwar Ibrahim did not give up his ambition to become the prime minister, and he repeatedly claimed that he had the support of a majority of the MPs to topple Muhyiddin’s government, which had a slim and fragile majority. He finally managed to prove his claim on November 19, 2022, when he submitted a list of 114 MPs who backed him to the king, who then verified and accepted it. The king then appointed Anwar as the prime minister, and swore him in at the palace. However, Muhyiddin Yassin refused to concede defeat, and insisted that he still had the support of 113 MPs, including some who had allegedly switched sides from Anwar. He also challenged Anwar to prove his majority in a vote of confidence in the parliament, which was scheduled to reconvene on December 6, 2022.

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What has the king said and done about the situation?

The king has been closely involved and influential in the resolution of the political impasse, as he has the constitutional authority to appoint the prime minister who has the confidence of the majority of the MPs. He has also been seen as a neutral and respected figure who can mediate and advise the political leaders and the public. The king has issued several statements and speeches on the matter, in which he has expressed his concern and caution over the threat to the country’s stability and prosperity. He has also urged the politicians to stop the infighting and focus on the people’s welfare and the nation’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the key points of the king’s statements and speeches are:

• On November 19, 2022, the king announced that he had appointed Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister, after verifying and accepting his list of 114 MPs who supported him. He said that he had made the decision in accordance with the constitution and the rule of law, and that he hoped that it would end the political uncertainty and restore the confidence of the people and the investors. He also thanked Muhyiddin Yassin for his service and contribution to the country, and appealed to him and his supporters to accept the outcome and cooperate with the new government.
• On November 22, 2022, the king delivered his first address to the parliament at the opening of the 2024 session in Kuala Lumpur. He said that he would not entertain any request that may undermine the country’s political stability, and that anyone seeking to play politics should wait for the next general election, which is due in 2028. He also said that all parties must accept the prevailing order and respect the unity government that had been formed by Anwar Ibrahim, which included representatives from various political parties and groups. He also said that Malaysia must work to narrow its budget deficit and reform its policy on subsidies, and that he was disheartened by the large debt burden that the government was bearing.
• On November 25, 2022, the king met with Anwar Ibrahim and Muhyiddin Yassin separately at the palace, in an attempt to ease the tension and facilitate a dialogue between them. He said that he had advised both leaders to put aside their differences and work together for the sake of the country and the people, and that he had reminded them of their oath and duty to uphold the constitution and the law. He also said that he had urged them to respect the parliamentary democracy and the separation of powers, and to abide by the decision of the parliament on the vote of confidence. He also said that he had expressed his hope that the vote of confidence would be conducted in a fair and orderly manner, and that the outcome would be accepted by all parties.