Fixing economy will be real test for Anwar

MANY Malaysians were glad to see veteran politician Anwar Ibrahim finally securing the top job after 24 years of waiting. Now all eyes are on how the new prime minister will set the country’s direction not just politically, but economically: tackling inequality and inflation, and pursuing fiscal consolidation.

The chairman of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition is in the midst of forming a unity government with former ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN), East Malaysian alliances Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, as well as other independents.

The 75-year-old statesman comes onboard at a critical juncture in Malaysian history, when its political landscape is arguably the most fractured and the country’s depressed economy is still recovering – with a gloomy outlook due to global headwinds.