Photo: MOHD RASFAN/AFP/Getty Images
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent call for Malaysians abroad to support his government in its anti-corruption agenda faces a credibility crisis, particularly in light of the outpouring of positive obituaries following the death of former finance minister Daim Zainuddin. Daim, a prominent figure in Malaysia’s political and economic landscape, had long been associated with corruption allegations, yet the widespread tributes for him in the wake of his passing, including those from government figures, suggest that Anwar’s efforts to discredit his rival have faltered.
Daim’s death, marked by reverential remembrances across Malaysia’s political elite, raises uncomfortable questions about Anwar’s ongoing political vendetta against his former mentor-turned-rival. Despite the litany of corruption accusations that have dogged Daim’s career, including his alleged involvement in financial scandals during the 1990s, glowing tributes from key political figures reveal the subjectivities of Anwar’s own political allies regarding the ills of corruption that the prime minister claims to combat. Could this mean that Malaysian politicians have a high tolerance for the corruption of their peers? Or that accusations of corruption, like abuses of power, have no impact in a country plagued by them?
The lingering influence of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) members tainted by corruption have already undermined the prime minister’s moral high ground. His recent welcoming of former prime minister Najib’s apology for his role in the SRC and 1MDB scandals has raised further discomfort among civil society. This includes the former head of Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency and human rights lawyer Latheefa Koya, who recently accused Anwar and other government figures of hypocrisy. This selective approach also threatens the fragile alliances within Anwar’s coalition, particularly with UMNO, whose leaders are themselves implicated in high-profile corruption scandals.
The contrast between Anwar’s anti-corruption rhetoric and the public reverence for Daim suggests a significant disconnect. More than ever, his focus on rivals like Daim—who had significant influence within UMNO and Malaysia’s entire political game—underscores a personal vendetta more than a commitment to reform. The broader implications are troubling for Anwar’s government. While Anwar’s calls for international support in his anti-corruption campaign ring hollow, further eroding public trust in his administration’s resolve to clean up Malaysian politics, all charges against Daim have been dropped.
Sophie Lemière is an adjunct fellow (non-resident) with the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.
