TODAY’S Malaysia is blighted with corrupt incompetent leadership, weak failing institutions, and rising intolerant Islamism. Mahathir Mohamad, prime minister (1981-2003), and again from May 2018 to February 2020, is most responsible for this great degradation. Reflecting his failed leadership, Malaysia had an unprecedented five prime ministers from January 2018 to December 2022. 

Following the 15th general election of November 2022, Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir’s deputy in the 1990s until their falling out, became prime minister. Every indication is that he will remain in office until the next scheduled general election no later than February 17, 2028.

Mahathir’s protégé Najib Razak, prime minister from 2008-2013, is now jailed for his massive pilfering of One Malaysia Bhd (1MDB), the largest such heist, monetary-wise as well as global reach. Mahathir was also responsible for Najib to prematurely dislodge Mahathir’s immediate successor Abdullah Badawi. Not satisfied with that, Mahathir, in his second reincarnation, bequeathed Malaysia with Muhyiddin Yassin as prime minister. He too was arrested for corruption and now awaiting trials.

Anwar’s top priority must be to fight corruption. Beyond that, his religious credentials as well as earlier leadership of the Muslim Youth Movement would equip him well in tackling Malaysia’s rising Islamism as well as the nation’s failing institutions. Failure in any would doom Malaysia to perpetual Third World status.

* Prologue from The Malaysian Malaise: Corrupt Leadership; Failing Institutions; And Intolerant Islamism by M. Bakri Musa

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.