Advertisement
Malaysia
This Week in AsiaPolitics

Fall in line or resign: Malaysia’s Anwar reins in coalition partners ahead of state poll

The prime minister has threatened to remove ministers and senior officers attacking fellow federal partners during the Negeri Sembilan poll

3-MIN READ3-MIN
1
Listen
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a press conference at the federal government office in Putrajaya on July 9. Photo: AFP
Iman Muttaqin Yusof
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has threatened to remove ministers and federal appointees who use public office to attack their own government partners, drawing a new red line as the ruling coalition’s rival camps collide again ahead of the Negeri Sembilan state election on August 1.

Anwar said senior officials were free to campaign for their parties but must step down to avoid weaponising their official positions against allies in his unity government.

“If they wish to do so, they should first resign from their positions as ministers, deputy ministers or members of agency boards,” Anwar told reporters in the northern city of Ipoh on Sunday.

This applies to senior officials in government bodies such as the Federal Land Development Authority, Majlis Amanah Rakyat and the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority too, according to Anwar.

“If there is any violation, I will ask them to step down,” he said.

Mohamad Hasan attends the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Cebu City on January 29. Photo: AFP
Mohamad Hasan attends the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Cebu City on January 29. Photo: AFP

The warning followed talks with his deputies, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Gabungan Parti Sarawak leader Fadillah Yusof, in what analysts say exposed the awkward architecture of Malaysia’s government.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x