The 15th General Election held in 2022 now feels like a distant memory.
It was held at the back of a pandemic and amidst political instability – relatively unfamiliar for Malaysians who, unlike neighbouring countries, had long been blessed with peaceful transitions of power.
One of the more stable political scenarios in Southeast Asia, Malaysians were spoiled with a predictable brand of politics. Even though years of status quo lulled many into complacency, a certain turn of events involving former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak shook the country and became a significant force that led to regime change. To some, it marked the beginning of precariousness in the political landscape, which then affected everything else, including the economy and waning faith in leaders.
Some might say the spanner that destroyed decades of tranquillity was one of the biggest corruption cases involving a premier the region had witnessed. Similar to the Philippines’ Marcos era and Indonesia’s Suharto, Najib’s 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal was not far behind in terms of severity and damage.
Following the fall of Najib and his cronies, Malaysians seemed to finally get a taste of their own revolution.
Navigating the post-Covid state of affairs was uncharted territory for leaders worldwide. Naturally, Malaysian leaders too faced backlash from the rakyat for their unremarkable handling of the situation.
Three prime ministers later, and an election that marked several firsts – including the newly approved voting age of 18, lowered from 21, and automatic voter registration – showed progress in the electoral process.
Apart from dwindling support for the Barisan Nasional coalition, the disastrous administrative handling prior to the 15th General Election proved to be a blessing in disguise for Malaysia’s longest prime minister-in-waiting, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The story of his arrests and incarceration as a student activist, and later as deputy prime minister, has been retold countless times – reminders to the older generation and tales of revolution for the younger. They painted him as both rebel and trailblazer.
The 1998 arrest became synonymous with the Reformasi (reform) movement – a promise of reform embedded deep in the psyche of old and young, hungry for change. Reformasi signified hope, resilience and a collective desire for improvement. An almost perfect saviour, at a time when Malaysia was in dire need of a messiah to make things right again.
Anwar made promises. His wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, did the same. Their daughter, Nurul Izzah, also promised change, improvement, and justice for the people. A leader like Anwar, surely, would empathise with the people’s struggles.
These promises were held strongly by his supporters. Had they materialised, it would have been poetic justice for them – and for Anwar himself.
In 2008, a young Nurul Izzah contested Umno heavyweight Tan Sri Shahrizat Jalil in Lembah Pantai. During campaigning, she spoke about her father’s unfair incarceration and how she had endured a baptism of fire that radicalised her to continue his battle for reform and a better Malaysia. She later won the seat.
Fourteen years later, Anwar’s dream of becoming prime minister finally materialised. He was sworn in on Nov 24, 2022. Malaysians heaved a sigh of relief. The saviour had emerged among the ruins of a struggling nation, still wounded by corruption and a pandemic. All was well – or so it seemed. But life, as wise men say, is not linear. What we hope for rarely unfolds as expected.
For Malaysians, three years later, the promise of reform remains just that – a promise. Signs of change are still not visible. Some say things look bleak – as bleak as the glimpses of a former reformist, now just another prime minister, justifying his actions in ways far removed from his activist past.
Promises made are promises broken. The saviour has underperformed, going back on words that once inspired – now reduced to mere rhetoric written on campaign trails.
From claims of nepotism involving his daughter’s role in PKR, to the introduction of a luxury tax, to the appointment of figures with questionable values and pending court cases, all have materialised – to the chagrin of the rakyat (people) now witnessing betrayal from their so-called saviour.
A tagline coined by supporters during his first 100 days – ‘menahan diri’, loosely translated to “trying to stop myself from being impressed” – has not aged well after three years. Based on his colossal vows to voters during the last election and years before, one might have thought Malaysia would rediscover its forgotten heydays. But no one can truly prepare for being hoodwinked, especially in desperate times.
Malaysians are stuck for now. The next election is coming – just a few more sleepless nights, bracing for announcements that may further betray the rakyat. Some may choose another. Some may stick with underperformers, clouded by paranoia that change may bring worse.
Whatever the choice, three years on, “impressed” is not the word to describe the current administration.
As the Malay idiom goes, ‘indah khabar dari rupa’ – the reality is far less impressive than what is presented. For now, that is more apt. Anwar was hyped so much by his supporters that his mediocrity screams louder than his achievements.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.