MALAYSIAN Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim faces a pivotal moment with the impending retirements of key institutional leaders: MACC chief Azam Baki in May, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain in June, and Chief Justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat in July.
These vacancies or potential tenure extensions provide Anwar with a significant opportunity to reinforce his government’s faltering reformist credentials, which have been tarnished by controversial decisions and accusations of selective prosecution, writes The Straits Times of Singapore.
Azam Baki’s tenure at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has been marred by a scandal involving his ownership of shares in public companies, a violation of government regulations, alongside claims of the MACC targeting government critics selectively.
This has fueled demands for a reform-minded replacement to restore trust in the agency.
Similarly, Razarudin Husain’s leadership of the police has drawn scrutiny, with speculation that Anwar might bypass the deputy, Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, for Datuk Khalid Ismail of the Special Branch, raising questions about whether this choice would prioritise reform or political loyalty.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Tengku Maimun, lauded for fostering an independent judiciary, is unlikely to receive an extension, leaving Anwar to appoint a successor who could either uphold or dilute her legacy of judicial integrity.
Analysts see these appointments as a litmus test for Anwar’s commitment to the Reformasi agenda, a movement he once championed for transparency, justice, and accountability.
A bold move to appoint reform-driven leaders could salvage his credibility, countering perceptions of compromise with entrenched elites, as seen in his alliance with UMNO.
However, skepticism abounds that Anwar might stumble, opting for appointees who ensure stability over transformation, especially given his government’s recent backsliding on media freedoms and failure to decisively tackle corruption.
The choices he makes in advising the King will signal whether he seizes this chance to push Reformasi forward or succumbs to the pragmatism many suspect will define his tenure. —Mar 30, 2025
Main image: Anwar Ibrahim (Facebook)
