In early December 2025, a 100-year-old former prime minister filed a police report accusing Malaysia’s sitting prime minister of undermining national sovereignty through an international trade deal. Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the agreement with the United States was unconstitutional and risked the nation’s autonomy. He argued the pact could hand Malaysia’s powers to foreign influence and should be questioned under penal code sections related to sabotage. His move forced the government to publicly rebut the claims and highlighted a deeper, persistent rift in Malaysian politics that goes beyond policy disputes and elections. (heidoh.com)
Mahathir’s criticism is not an isolated moment. It reveals a broader pattern of relentless scrutiny that Tun M applies to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership. Even as Anwar navigates domestic challenges and global diplomacy, he faces constant comparison to a predecessor whose political life has spanned eight decades. This article examines why, in Mahathir’s view, Anwar still comes up short, and what it means for Malaysia’s future.
Have Malaysians been asking themselves why Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Malaysia still falls short of the high bar set by Mahathir Mohamad? Recent protests over cost of living and growing dissatisfaction show the debate is no longer academic but emotional and real. Thousands rallied in Kuala Lumpur demanding Anwar step down, saying promises remain unfulfilled and living costs stay high despite international outreach and investment trips. (Reddit)
This question cuts to the heart of Malaysia’s struggle with leadership legacy, economic expectations, and political realities. Mahathir’s era is often remembered for rapid transformation and bold moves. Anwar’s leadership, now three years into his term, moves slower and more cautiously. Many feel Malaysia has stalled. Others argue the country is stronger than critics admit. Understanding why this tension persists requires deeper analysis.
A Legacy That Casts a Long Shadow
Mahathir Mohamad, who helped shape modern Malaysia’s economic and political landscape, set a benchmark few leaders could match. He championed heavy industrialisation, mega-projects, and a command-style leadership that drove rapid GDP growth, often at high political cost. (The Diplomat)
Anwar inherited that legacy and a country that expects big results. Mahathir’s tenure came with a perception of decisiveness and transformation. Under Anwar, reforms have been deliberate and incremental. This difference in style fuels frustration among those who compare Malaysia’s present pace with Mahathir-era milestones.
Solid but Not Spectacular Economic Performance
Under Anwar’s government, Malaysia’s economy continues to grow, but it has not matched the dramatic expansion of earlier decades. The economy was on track to grow between 4.0 and 4.8% in 2025, and is again forecast at roughly 4.0–4.5% for 2026. (The Sun Malaysia) The third quarter of 2025 alone saw growth reach 5.2%, a strong performance driven by domestic demand and labour market health. (Malay Mail)
Inflation remains low and manageable. Unemployment hovers around 3%, one of the lowest in recent years, while the ringgit shows resilience, strengthening against major currencies amid disciplined fiscal management. (The Star) Yet these numbers only tell part of the story.
The problem for many Malaysians is lived experience. Price increases in everyday goods, like basic meals, remain a challenge for households. These real costs clash with macroeconomic data that suggests stability. Public perception matters as much as GDP figures, and for some, optimism about growth does not translate into daily relief.
A Hard Balance for Reform vs. Stability
Anwar’s approach prioritises stability and gradual reform. He has strengthened fiscal responsibility, introduced targeted subsidies, and pushed structural policies through the Madani Economy framework. (Malay Mail) These moves aim to build long-term competitiveness rather than quick fixes.
Many reforms require time to show results. The Madani Economy includes initiatives like the National Semiconductor Strategy and TVET policy improvements aimed at future-proofing the labour force and attracting high-quality investment. (Malay Mail) These are strategic and forward-looking but do not yield immediate daily benefits for households struggling with living costs.
In comparison, Mahathir-era decisions were often punchy and headline-making. Large infrastructure projects, bold economic visions like Vision 2020, and assertive government action captured attention and delivered visible change quickly. Anwar’s restrained style lacks that dramatic flair, which some Malaysians equate incorrectly with weak leadership.
Political Realities: Unity Government Constraints
Anwar leads Malaysia’s first unity government, a coalition of diverse political parties. Managing competing interests shapes how bold or incremental policies can be. Unity brings political stability, but it also dilutes unilateral decision-making power that Mahathir exercised during his tenure.
Anwar’s cabinet saw recent reshuffles, especially in trade and economy ministries, designed to strengthen his team amid challenges. (Reuters) This points to persistent internal pressures that Mahathir rarely faced at the same scale, especially during his prolonged dominance.
Approval ratings tell a nuanced story. A Merdeka Centre survey found Anwar’s approval at 55%, up from earlier lows, indicating some public confidence in his leadership. But 50% of voters still feel the country is headed in the wrong direction, showing split sentiment. (The Star)
Cost of Living and Social Discontent
Protests demanding Anwar’s resignation reflect deeper frustration. Many Malaysians say they still face rising living costs, even as officials highlight macroeconomic stability. (Reddit)
Public criticism often highlights that tangible everyday challenges, like food prices or housing costs, shape people’s sense of government performance more than headline GDP numbers. For many ordinary citizens, economic stability doesn’t yet equal personal financial comfort.
Corruption and Institutional Reform
Anwar campaigned on reform and clean governance. Progress has been visible in some areas, with renewed focus on transparency and institutional strengthening. The government has pursued legislative reforms and boosted anti-corruption agencies in efforts to curb abuse of power. (Malay Mail)
Yet critics argue progress remains slow. High-profile cases like the ongoing handling of former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s 1MDB-related proceedings stir political tension. (Reuters) The perception that political elites are treated differently still resonates with many Malaysians, even if legal processes proceed through the courts.
Mahathir, for all his flaws, cultivated a public image of iron discipline against corruption, even when his methods were controversial. Anwar’s incremental institutional reforms lack the dramatic narrative that resonated with Malaysians during Mahathir’s anti-corruption push in the 1990s.
International Leadership and Diplomacy
Anwar has raised Malaysia’s international profile. Under his leadership, Malaysia chaired ASEAN in 2025 and sought diplomatic roles in regional conflict resolution. (Reuters) His government hosts global investment dialogues and reaches out to strategic partners, enhancing Malaysia’s reputation abroad.
However, these diplomatic wins matter less to many at home when daily life feels strained. Mahathir’s foreign policy also brought international attention but was often framed around Malaysia’s assertiveness and sovereign pride. Anwar’s measured diplomacy can appear less inspiring or bold by comparison.
Structural Challenges Beyond Leadership
Some of the issues Malaysia faces are structural and long-term, not easily solved by any single leader. Income inequality, regional imbalances, an ageing population, and global economic shifts require multi-year strategies that span administrations. While Anwar sets frameworks for these, results will take time.
The reliance on Petronas dividends has been re-evaluated due to oil market volatility, prompting calls for diversification. (Reddit) This is prudent policy, but it underscores deeper economic recalibrations that cannot be fixed quickly.
What do you think? I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments section.
Malaysia under Anwar Ibrahim is not a failure. The economy grows, inflation stays low, and the ringgit strengthens. (The Sun Malaysia) Investors see Malaysia as a stable hub, and key policy frameworks aim to lift future competitiveness. (The Star) Yet many Malaysians feel the pace of change and the cost of living still lag expectations.
The contrast with Mahathir’s era highlights differences in leadership style, political context, and economic priorities. Mahathir’s bold moves reflect an older model of leadership. Anwar’s cautious and coalition-based approach reflects a different era and democratic context.
Meaningful progress now hinges on bridging macro success with lived experiences. Practical solutions could include:
- Faster rollout of targeted cost-of-living relief measures.
- Clear roadmaps for structural reforms with visible milestones.
- Enhanced citizen engagement in policy priorities.
- Stronger communication linking long-term strategies with daily benefits.
The debate is not whether one leader is better than the other. It is about whether Malaysia’s governance can evolve to meet citizens’ expectations in a far more complex world than the one Mahathir governed.
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