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By Mihar Dias January 2025
PMX finds himself in treacherous political waters. The controversy surrounding former Prime Minister Najib Razak’s purported royal addendum, which may allow him to serve the remainder of his jail sentence under house arrest, has not only raised questions of legality and governance but also exposed the vulnerabilities in Anwar’s leadership.
At the heart of the issue is the tangled web of ministerial responsibility and silence. Khairy Jamaluddin, the former Umno Youth Chief, has pointed fingers at ministers Dr. Zaliha Mustafa and Azalina Othman Said, accusing them of failing to address the matter despite their direct connections to the Federal Territories Pardons Board and the attorney general’s office, respectively.
Their silence, whether deliberate or circumstantial, paints a troubling picture of accountability within the government. https://newswav.com/article/ft-minister-says-govt-will-not-disclose-najib-s-appeal-minutes-reaffirms-pa-A2501_KaS12r?s=A_rphy1fc&language=en
A Crisis of Trust Within UMNO
Najib Razak remains a polarising figure within UMNO. The party is visibly split between loyalists who believe Najib’s legal woes are a vendetta and pragmatists who recognise the political cost of tying their fortunes to a convicted leader.
Khairy’s remarks underscore a growing “crisis of trust” within UMNO, where Najib’s supporters feel abandoned by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s leadership. https://newswav.com/article/azalina-zaliha-should-answer-on-najib-s-addendum-says-khairy-A2501_7qf7Az?s=A_1hMTwK2&language=en
This divide weakens UMNO’s alignment with Pakatan Harapan (PH), raising questions about the stability of Anwar’s government. Zahid, already graippling with his own legal and political challenges, may find it increasingly difficult to balance party unity while maintaining a partnership with PH.
The Role of Sarawak’s Political Calculus
Adding to Anwar’s woes is the growing influence of Sarawak. Premier Abang Johari Openg’s recent assurance of support for Anwar may seem like a vote of confidence, but as Khairy astutely observed, it is also a calculated move. Sarawak’s pivotal role in maintaining Anwar’s majority allows Abang Johari to wield significant influence over federal politics. https://newswav.com/article/azalina-zaliha-should-answer-on-najib-s-addendum-says-khairy-A2501_7qf7Az?s=A_1hMTwK2&language=en
Anwar, weakened by the Najib controversy, is now even more dependent on Sarawak’s backing, effectively placing him in a politically compromised position.
Anwar’s Damaged Image
Even Khairy, in his typically pragmatic tone, acknowledged that while Anwar’s position as prime minister is not immediately threatened, his political standing is undeniably damaged. The perception of Anwar as a reformist leader who champions good governance has taken a hit. The addendum controversy feeds into the narrative that his administration is not only failing to deliver on its promises but is also susceptible to the same backroom deals and power plays that have long plagued Malaysian politics.https://newswav.com/article/azalina-zaliha-should-answer-on-najib-s-addendum-says-khairy-A2501_7qf7Az?s=A_1hMTwK2&language=en
The Broader Implications
For Anwar, the issue goes beyond Najib or UMNO—it is about his ability to govern effectively in a deeply fragmented political landscape. The controversy highlights systemic weaknesses in communication and decision-making within his cabinet. It also underscores the challenges of leading a coalition government where loyalty is transactional, and every faction has its own agenda.
Anwar’s path forward is fraught with challenges. To regain credibility, he must address the addendum issue transparently and decisively. He needs to assert his leadership over a cabinet that appears to be operating in silos. Most importantly, he must rebuild trust—not just with UMNO and Sarawak but with the Malaysian public, who are growing weary of political drama overshadowing governance.
The question now is not whether PMX will survive this storm, but at what cost to his reform agenda and the nation’s fragile political stability.
A wounded leader may still stand, but every misstep risks becoming a fatal one in the unforgiving arena of Malaysian politics.
Mihar Dias 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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