Anwar warns senior officials against campaigning while in office
Quick Look
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned senior officials, including ministers, deputy ministers, and members of agency boards, that they must resign from their positions if they intend to campaign for political parties, to prevent weaponizing their official roles against allies in his unity government.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim issued a warning to senior officials regarding political campaigning while holding their positions, following talks with his deputies.
Anwar said senior officials were free to campaign for their parties but must step down to avoid weaponising their official positions against allies in his unity government.
“If they wish to do so, they should first resign from their positions as ministers, deputy ministers or members of agency boards,” Anwar told reporters in the northern city of Ipoh on Sunday.
This applies to senior officials in government bodies such as the Federal Land Development Authority, Majlis Amanah Rakyat and the Rubber Industry Smallholders Development Authority too, according to Anwar.
“If there is any violation, I will ask them to step down,” he said.
The warning followed talks with his deputies, Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Gabungan Parti Sarawak leader Fadillah Yusof, in what analysts say exposed the awkward architecture of Malaysia’s government.
Open Questions
- Will any officials resign to campaign?
- Will any violations occur?
- How will the warning impact unity government dynamics?
