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By Mihar Dias September 2026
Khairy Jamaluddin has done it again.
He has wandered into the political kitchen, lifted the lid off the pot and asked Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim whether there is anything left to cook.
On Keluar Sekejap, KJ suggested that Anwar has two choices: deliver the reforms he promised or use the powers of the prime ministership to strengthen his political position. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/14/anwar-can-still-focus-on-reforms-to-boost-support-says-kj
And if the Malay-vote pattern seen in Negeri Sembilan continues into Melaka and eventually GE16, KJ says Anwar could become a former prime minister. https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/14/anwar-can-still-focus-on-reforms-to-boost-support-says-kj
That is quite a menu.
Reform or survival.
Unfortunately for PMX, Malaysian politics does not come with a third button marked “Press Here for Magic.”
Anwar has already tried the Unity Government.
He has tried MADANI.
He has tried reform.
He has tried fiscal discipline.
He has tried helping the Malays without taking away the rights of others.
He has tried telling us that allocations are for the people, not MPs.
Indeed, in August he announced an additional RM1 million for every parliamentary constituency, to be channelled directly to the people.
So perhaps the next announcement should be:
“RM1 million for every Malaysian who can explain what MADANI means.”
That might finally produce a fiscal surplus.
The parliamentary-allocation controversy has also produced an interesting philosophical argument.
Anwar says the money belongs to the people, not MPs. The government says projects can be channelled directly to schools, drains, houses of worship and other community needs rather than through opposition MPs.
It is difficult to argue against giving money to the people.
The problem is that MPs tend to like being the people who give it to the people.
Otherwise, what exactly do they cut ribbons for?
But KJ's more interesting point is the clock.
Politics is increasingly becoming a game of musical chairs in which everybody can hear the music stopping.
Anwar has been prime minister since November 2022. The reform cupboard is still being opened, examined, discussed and occasionally dusted.
The proposed Prime Minister's term-limit Bill, for example, is reportedly ready for Parliament, although whether it is tabled remains with the Leader of the House.
One can almost imagine the Cabinet meeting:
“Prime Minister, the reform is ready.”
“Excellent. When can we implement it?”
“After the reforms necessary to implement the reform have been completed.”
“Very good. Put it in the next meeting.”
There is also the possibility of doing something genuinely radical.
Actually reforming.
That would be terribly dangerous.
It might even force politicians to compete over ideas rather than inaugurations.
And then there is the Malay-voter problem.
Anwar cannot simply manufacture Malay support with a photocopier. He cannot order voters to return to the political fold like civil servants returning from lunch.
He can announce policies.
He can explain them.
He can reform institutions.
He can improve delivery.
He can try to convince voters that the government is working for them.
But ultimately the voters retain the most powerful political weapon in the country:
the finger.
One small finger.
One little tick.
And suddenly a five-year political career becomes a historical footnote.
This is why KJ's trolling is amusing.
He is not merely asking whether Anwar has a political trick left.
He is asking whether the old political toolbox still works.
The coalition mathematics.
The ministerial appointments.
The allocations.
The speeches.
The slogans.
The announcements.
The strategic patience.
The endless negotiations.
The occasional political surprise.
Perhaps there is one final trick left in PMX's sleeve.
Perhaps he could simply do what politicians have promised for generations:
govern well and let the voters decide.
Unfortunately, that is not really a trick.
It is called doing the job.
And in Malaysian politics, that may be the most revolutionary trick of all.
Mihar Dias (mihardias@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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