Malaysians protest rising living costs, demand PM Anwar Ibrahim step down

Malaysians are protesting rising living costs and alleged lack of reform in the unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The rally on Saturday, which was organized by opposition parties, was the first significant protest against Anwar’s victory in the 2022 elections in Southeast Asia’s sixth-largest economy.

Before convergent on Independence Square, protesters gathered at various locations in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, carrying placards scribbling “Step down Anwar” as dozens of police officers closely watched.

Fauzi Mahmud, 35, from Selangor just outside the capital, said, “He] has already governed the country for three years and has not yet fulfilled the promises he made.”

According to Anwar, who has visited numerous nations to bring investments, “we have yet to see anything,” he told the AFP news agency. This is in reference to the premier’s recent travels, including to Russia and Europe. “The cost of living is still high,” he said.

Rob McBride, a journalist from Kuala Lumpur for Al Jazeera, claimed that protesters “clearly believe” that the prime minister hasn’t delivered on the transparency and reforms he promised as president.

He claimed that this was one of the largest protests in Kuala Lumpur’s history. Ibrahim should step down, according to Demonstrators.

Anwar was given the job of prime minister by a reformist party and promised to combat cronyism, nepotism, and corruption in the country’s divided political system.

He announced a number of populist measures days prior to the rally that would address voter concerns, including a cash gift for all adult citizens and a pledge to lower fuel prices.

Anwar announced on Wednesday that Malaysians over 18 will receive a one-time payment of 100 ringgit ($23.70) starting on August 31. He added that, in comparison to the current price of 2.05 ringgit ($0.49), about 18 million Malaysian drivers will be eligible to purchase highly subsidised medium-octane fuel.

Political analysts saw the announcements as a wise move to quell growing public outcry and deter protesters from attending Saturday’s demonstration.

However, a survey conducted by the independent Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research in June found that the majority of voters approve of Anwar’s method of operation. He received a rating of 55%.