KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (Tambun-PH) has downplayed the “D” grade awarded to his administration by electoral watchdog Bersih, suggesting that there is room for improvement in the government’s reform agenda.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat, Anwar light-heartedly remarked: “It is okay that Bersih gave a D grade as long as it is not an F.
“If we get Ds in the Primary School Achievement Test (UPSR), we can get As in the Malaysian Certificate of Examination (SPM). Insyallah.”
Anwar was responding to Datuk Awang Hashim (Pendang-PN), who raised concerns about the slow pace of institutional reforms promised in Pakatan Harapan’s GE15 manifesto.
Awang also criticised the D grade as “unsatisfactory,” noting that Bersih ranked Anwar – widely praised internationally – behind his predecessors Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Yesterday, Scoop reported Bersih’s evaluation of the Madani administration’s two-year performance, highlighting limited progress in reforms.
Bersih chairperson Faisal Abdul Aziz acknowledged the challenges of governing a coalition government but maintained that this should not excuse unmet manifesto promises.
“The absence of meaningful reforms under Anwar is puzzling, especially considering that the unity government holds a solid parliamentary majority.
“With such firm control and no imminent threats to his premiership, there’s little justification for neglecting low-hanging fruits or failing to take initial steps toward significant reforms,” Faisal said during the release of Bersih’s “report card.”
Bersih rated Ismail Sabri as Malaysia’s best leader since 2009, crediting his administration for institutional reforms, including the anti-hopping law, lowering the voting age to 18, and equitable funding for opposition MPs through a memorandum of understanding.
Ismail served as prime minister from August 2021 to November 2022 before Anwar assumed office following the general election.
Anwar highlights Middle East successes
Separately, Anwar responded to a question from Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (Paya Besar-BN) about the economic outcomes of his recent Middle East visit.
Anwar revealed that he had urged Egyptian President Abd el-Fattah el-Sisi to increase palm oil imports from Malaysia.
“President el-Sisi agreed not only on this (importation request) but also on making Egypt a hub to export palm oil to nearby countries in the region such as the African countries,” Anwar said.
He also announced plans to establish a Proton assembly factory in Egypt to serve both Arab and African markets.
Yesterday, Anwar stated that Proton would begin assembling the Saga model in Egypt this December, as part of efforts to foster a new approach to international cooperation.
The initiative, reported by The Star, is seen as a strategic move to enhance Malaysia’s economic ties with the Middle East and North Africa region. – November 21, 2024
