It has been a week of stark contrasts for Anwar Ibrahim. At home, he is facing a political storm of growing intensity. Last Saturday, tens of thousands took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur to demand his resignation. While official figures placed the crowd size at 18,000, having personally witnessed the rally, I estimate the actual turnout was somewhere between 75,000 to 100,000 — a vast sea of dissent that can’t be ignored.
During the protest, a PAS MP led a qunut nazilah — a solemn prayer usually recited during calamities — calling upon divine wrath to befall Anwar. That such a prayer was directed against the Prime Minister, and that it was echoed by what appeared to be thousands in attendance, reflects a level of religious and political hostility that is deeply personal. Anwar himself is Muslim; for his fellow Muslims to brand him as a calamity speaks to how fractured the perception of his leadership has become.
The rally didn’t stop at prayers. An effigy of Anwar was flogged in the streets, a powerful symbol of public condemnation. Anwar, clearly not amused, responded swiftly. Just yesterday, police arrested Badrul Hisham Shaharin — widely known as Chegubard and the Bersatu division chief for Port Dickson — despite his prior agreement to appear voluntarily at Bukit Aman for questioning. The arrest has only further inflamed tensions.
Adding to Anwar’s domestic troubles was a controversial social media post by PAS information chief and Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari, who posted a caricature depicting Anwar as a monkey trying to mediate a dispute between a goat and a sheep — a crude reference to Anwar’s role in brokering peace between Thailand and Cambodia. The cartoon included the caption, “The goat and sheep shouldn’t need a monkey to mediate their banana dispute.” Although the post was later deleted following public backlash, Fadhli refused to apologize, merely stating that he would leave the matter to the police after multiple reports were lodged against him.
But while the political temperature at home continues to boil, Anwar has had an undeniably strong showing on the international stage. This past week, he played a central role in mediating a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia — a diplomatic achievement that took place during a historic meeting in Putrajaya, chaired by none other than Anwar himself. This was the first face-to-face between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai since tensions flared between the two countries.
What makes this achievement even more notable is that Donald Trump, no stranger to claiming the spotlight, is also laying claim to credit for the ceasefire. Trump’s camp has gone so far as to suggest that he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize for his role. If that is so, then Anwar’s contribution — at the very least — stands shoulder to shoulder with Trump’s, if not above it.
Adding to the list of diplomatic wins, news broke today that the United States has officially reduced the tariff on Malaysian goods from 25 percent to 19 percent. Earlier in the month, the U.S. had announced the 25 percent tariff, effective August 1, with Trump describing it as “far less” than what was needed to correct the trade imbalance with Malaysia. This was even higher than the 24 percent originally placed on select Malaysian exports, and there was genuine concern about how this would impact Malaysia’s global competitiveness.
However, during the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan, Anwar hinted that a new rate had been agreed upon — and today, after Trump and Anwar engaged in a long-awaited phone call on July 31, that was confirmed. Malaysia’s new tariff rate under the Trump administration now stands at 19 percent, putting it in line with regional neighbors like Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This is a significant achievement, as it maintains Malaysia’s competitiveness in a volatile global trade environment. It also underscores Anwar’s growing skill in navigating the treacherous waters of U.S.–China rivalry — a balance few leaders in the region have managed with such finesse.
Despite all this, the opposition continues to hammer away at Anwar’s position. Just recently, Hamzah Zainudin again hinted at a possible motion of no confidence against the Prime Minister in Parliament. But with no credible candidate to replace Anwar, and with Malaysia’s international standing arguably improving under his watch, it remains to be seen just how successful these opposition maneuvers will be.
So, while Anwar may be under siege at home — caricatured, cursed, and challenged — he is simultaneously rising on the global stage. It is a curious political paradox: a Prime Minister being flogged in the streets one day, and praised in diplomatic circles the next. Whether the domestic fury will eventually consume him or whether his international stature will buoy him through the storm is anyone’s guess. But for now, one thing is clear — Anwar may be struggling domestically, but he is undeniably winning internationally.
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