Now that Anwar become the prime minister, what's next?

It was announced on 24th November 2022 that Anwar Ibrahim is chosen by Agong as the 10th prime minister of Malaysia. Finally, after so many years of struggle and setbacks, the dream of one person is realized. 

I have an entry about Anwar earlier titled Anwar Ibrahim should not be the prime minister of Malaysia. I was not skeptical of the possibility of him being the next prime minister and is more against the notion that he is the right one. While many are in joy of the news and people of all races singing Negaraku, I am concern of he will do for the country.

One of the announcements he made is a public holiday upon the prime minister appointment, he made this promise during the election. I would consider that this is not a wise choice of promise, especially when it is absolutely unproductive to the economy.

Next, he claimed that he will not be receiving a salary and the minister roles will receive a pay cut. This is a little disturbing to me. If he is to be full time prime minster, what is his source of income if he is not taking his salary Note that he is a lifelong politician and NOT businessman like Donald Trump. 

Furthermore, it is not about high salary that people are concern, it is corruption that people are concern about, how is his government going to curb corruption practice? as far as I am concern, a pay cut is highly likely cause a person to think about alternate source of income.

He also announced the arrangement for 2 deputy prime ministers (DPM), one will be for East Malaysa while the other UMNO. I am in agreement that an appointment DPM for East Malaysia, it is long overdue and East Malaysia is seriously under-developed. 

However, DPM for UMNO?

What makes UMNO deserve the DPM role? It is not the biggest political party in the coalition, with only 30 seats. The biggest party goes to DAP with 40 seats. It is the second largest party in parliament. 

Anwar as emphasized that he wants to build an inclusive nation, shouldn't one of the first signal he sent out is a government base on meritocracy? Is DAP candidates not under consideration simply because they are Chinese? Are Chinese then still classified as second-class citizens under his government?

Furthermore, if the position is given to UMNO, who will fill this role?

Ahad Zahid Hamidi was a close associate to Anwar during his time in UMNO, it is Zahid's insistence of his participation this election that UMNO loses big in this election. It is Zahid who link up UMNO with PH. Zahid is instrumental to the success of Anwar and PH, with Zahid remains as the president of UMNO, does this mean that he is by default the main candidate for the DPM role?

It is true that Zahid will not be the next prime minister of Malaysia. However, never has he said he won't want to be the DPM. It does not matter who leads the government, the possibility of him remaining as DPM is high. over 130 regional heads of UMNO have supported Zahid continuation as the president of the party and there is not sign of him resigning or removed by means party election. He is here to stay.

Remember Gafa Baba? He was on the verge of bankruptcy at the time of his appointment as DPM, the charges were dropped since his appointment. Will the same thing happen when Zahid turn DPM?

Making Zahid answer for this crime has been the battle cry of PH especially DAP during their election run. They specifically claim that a vote for UMNO is a vote for Zahid. As such, if Zahid become the DPM, will any of them object? Will they insist that Zahid should not take up the role? 

As for his coalition government, it is more a rosy ideology while reality is far from perfect. The difference between the parties is much greater than the time of PR and early Harapan. He was already unable to hold together the coalition them, I will see even a bigger challenge on partnership with BN. I strongly believe that it will follow his legacy of another partnership failure.

To be frank, I believe that this is a great opportunity that UMNO is going to miss out in reforming itself. Its eagerness to stay relevant leading to its desperation to accept the coalition with PH. further to that, continue to allow Zahid leads the party only let more people convince that UMNO has not learnt its lesson and is more corrupt than before. At the same time, it will demonstrate how lack of integrity PH is by doing what it has told thee people to go against.  

At the moment, Anwar's government already has a simple majority. To further its grip of power, DAP apologizes to GPS and Sarawakians for its behavior to persuade them to join the unity government, I am seeing people with no bottom line for the sake of power. Anwar even claim that he will get 2/3 majority once Sabah also join in.

By then, Anwar can pass policies without parliamentary debate and vote, he can even change the constitution "for the good of the country". This is very dangerous for Malaysia, for absolute power corrupt absolutely, we have no idea what he will do at all. 

When Agong intended for a strong government, he is with good intention. However, Malaysia is no short of history with strong government and result is abuse of power especially during Mahathir era, Malaysia has been a long spiral of corrupt deterioration till now. Personally, I believe it is not going to benefit the country. It is better with formation of a minority government and policies to be strongly debated to ensure right decision is made for the country.

Lett's hope that I am wrong on this.