Getting To Know Anwar Ibrahim: Opposition Figure Who Becomes Malaysian PM

Malaysian Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim met his old friend, Prabowo Subianto the day before being inaugurated as the new President of Indonesia, or on October 19, 2024. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Anwar Ibrahim is often known as a noisy politician. He is known to have actively thrown criticism from within and outside the Malaysian government arena. He also had to accept the consequences of being exiled from the Malaysian political map. He was imprisoned many times.

The accusations that have been directed at him are involved in corruption and sodomy. However, he did not give up. Anwar often positioned himself as a true opposition figure. He still received a lot of support from the Malaysian people to strengthen his dream of becoming a new Malaysian PM.

Malaysia's political map is difficult to accept newcomers. Anyone who wants to enter politics, comes at least from a family of politicians and aristocrats. This pattern then made Anwar Ibrahim lucky.

His parents are included in the group of politicians. This influence made Anwar free to string together dreams and pursue higher education. He was able to join the ruling party of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in 1982.

He was even directly criticized by Prime Minister (PM) Mahathir Mohamad. This closeness made Mahathir appoint Anwar as Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1993. The momentum was not wasted by Anwar. He began to fight for the welfare of all ethnic groups in Malaysia.

Problems arise. The economic crisis that occurred in the 1997-1998 era changed everything. Anwar began to criticize his own mentor, Mahathir regarding the policy against the economic recession. Both of them are no longer popular. This condition made Mahathir choose the unpopular option.

Mahathir prefers to isolate Anwar from the Malaysian political map. Because, Anwar is considered to be threatening his power. Anwar was then accused of corruption and sodomy. The false accusation was because it could not be proven'so the reason the Malaysian government detained him.

Allegations of sodomy in the Malaysian government are often used as an example to repulse political opponents. This is because sodomy perpetrators will be sentenced to tens of years. However, all Malaysians and the world protested against Matathir's move. One of the protests arose from Indonesian political figures, from Gus Dur to Prabowo Subianto.

In fact, even more unfortunate, the Malaysian government failed not to leave the impression that its authorities, in this case the police, were free from violence against prisoners. Anwar is a famous figure, and his fate is followed by people around the world. Mahathir turned out to be missed and could not improve his position when Anwar appeared in front of the camera with a hit-on face.

"It is not surprising that Anwar's arrest has brought together various Malaysian political circles who are not happy with the situation, who feel offended by their sense of justice and common sense - and begin to feel that 17 years is too long for a PM in power. In short, Anwar did not immediately win, the world really doesn't need to be ignored, but Mahathir has started his own defeat," wrote Tempo magazine report entitled Dunia According to Doctor M(1998).

Perhaps Anwar was released at the end of 2004. The Malaysian people also welcomed his freedom. However, Anwar did not necessarily choose to be active directly into politics. He wanted to enjoy his freedom in an academic world first.

Malang cannot be rejected. Batianya continues to be cut when he sees many Malaysian people who are not prosperous. Even though the Malaysian PM has changed to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. He saw the issue of corruption in the Badawi era, then Najib Razak continued. He chose to return to be an opposition figure.

The two Malaysian PMs are considered not to have placed complete officials. As a result, Malaysia is in disarray. However, not all feel at home criticized. The long issue related to Anwar the opposition figure was rolled out again. Anwar is considered to have committed sodomy and was in prison in 2015.

Only then was Anwar given a punishment amnesty by the Kingdom of Malaysia in 2018. Anwar remained in opposition. However, he chose to join his previous mentor, alias the person who imprisoned him, Mahathir Mohamad.

Both also agreed to share power. At its peak, Najib Razak was dragged and arrested for corruption. Mahathir also rose as Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2018-2020. It is planned that the position of Prime Minister of Malaysia will be given to Anwar as the successor, but never carried out.

Anwar only got his wish to become Malaysian PM in 2022. The victory of his coalition of parties became a cause. Anwar's struggle finally filled him. He tried to carry out his political promises. Mainly for the welfare of the people of the neighboring country.

"I feel the people's strong desire to change and see Malaysia's progress in a new direction," said Anwar as quoted by Haylena Krishna McCarthy on The Guardian's page entitled Anwar Ibrahim: From Protest Leader and Prisoner to Malaysia's PM(2022).