Malaysian Prime Minister cements his legitimacy

The majority of parliamentary support won by Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has raised hopes of the divisive politics that have plagued the nation will finally come to an end.

Anwar won the confidence vote on Dec 19 in a special sitting of Parliament. Analysts expect this support will allow the Anwar-led government to buckle down and steer Southeast Asia's third-biggest economy toward post-pandemic recovery.

The 15th Malaysian Parliament is already meeting expectations with the passage on Dec 20, via voice vote of a bill on temporary supplementary expenditure – a mini budget. Amounting to 107.7 billion ringgit ($24.3 billion), the mini budget will pay for civil servants' emoluments and continue the direct cash aid program implemented by previous administrations.

Awang Azman Awang Pawi, associate professor in the Academy of Malay Studies at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, said the vote of confidence for Anwar and the swift passing of the mini budget bill indicates that Malaysian politics "has returned to stability".

Bilveer Singh, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, said the confidence vote was "not surprising" and indicated that Anwar had enough support to pass the mini budget.

Geoffrey Williams, dean of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies at Malaysia University of Science and Technology, said the confidence vote "went smoothly. In the end it was a voice vote with no potential opposition recorded." He said this "fully settles" the issue of Anwar's legitimacy as the country's premier.

"This sets the foundations for the government business next year which will include a new budget, the start of a reform agenda and building socially equitable recovery," Williams said, alluding to the Supply Bill for the year 2023 – or Budget 2023. Budget 2023 can only be passed on or after Jan 1, 2023.The previous government had already prepared Budget 2023, but it did not get legislative approval as Parliament was dissolved on Oct 10 to make way for the snap polls.

Anwar took his oath of office on Nov 24, five days after the general elections that produced Malaysia's first ever hung Parliament.

Immediately after he was sworn in as Malaysia's tenth prime minister, Anwar said a vote of confidence would be held to show that his alliance has majority support.

Last week, leaders of five political parties signed a memorandum of understanding to support Anwar's administration. These parties are PH, Barisan Nasionalor BN, the longest-ruling political coalition and the three Eastern Malaysian-based parties: Gabungan Parti Sarawak, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Parti Warisan.

Anwar, by getting the support of 148 parliamentarians in the confidence vote, has cemented his legitimacy as head of the unity government.

Anwar's allies were also elected to top posts in the Parliament. Johari Abdul, former parliamentary whip of PH, was elected parliamentary speaker. BN's Ramli Md Nor and PH's Alice Lau were elected deputy speakers.

The vote of confidence for Anwar and the passage of the mini budget "turned out to be tame affairs of voice votes", said Khor Yu Leng, director of Segi Enam Advisors, a consultancy in Singapore. She said Johari's election as speaker was another indicator of majority support for Anwar, but such support will again be tested in next year's midterm state elections.

Khor said the stability of Anwar's government will also depend on the strength of his cabinet, and the reforms and policies enforced under his term.