For supporters of Anwar Ibrahim, his appointment as the new Malaysian Prime Minister is a long time coming.
The 75-year-old opposition leader secured the Southeast Asian country’s top job on Thursday after his king intervened in the political stalemate following the weekend’s inconclusive general election. -end and named him the country’s 10th prime minister.
It was a remarkable comeback for Anwar, who has spent nearly three decades in opposition, including 10 years in prison on sodomy and corruption charges that he says were politically motivated.
Many Malaysians on Twitter responded in gleeful disbelief.
“I was at the airport when our 10th PM announcement was made,” Twitter user @itsraenu_ wrote. “I heard people screaming and I saw people grinning from ear to ear.”
I was at the airport when our 10pm announcement was made and I heard people screaming and saw people grinning from ear to ear.
Maybe a coincidence, but shortly after the airport started playing “Standing In The Eyes of The World” 🥹🥹🥹
—Raenu (@itsraenu_) November 24, 2022
“Anwar’s resurgence is an inspiration to many generations to come,” Twitter user @CHKen_2 wrote. “He waited 24 years for this, suffered all sorts of political beatings in the back and even had to endure imprisonment – but never gave up on his principles. Keep believing.”
Anwar’s resurgence is an inspiration for many generations to come. He waited 24 years for this, went through all sorts of political backstabbing and even had to endure imprisonment – but never gave up on his principles. Keep believing. #PM10malaysia
— Ken 🏴 (@CHKen_2) November 24, 2022
A former deputy prime minister, Anwar looked set to take the top job in 1998 before being sacked from government after falling out with then-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad over his handling of the crisis. Asian finance. Anwar was later charged with sodomy – a crime in Malaysia – and bribery. Tens of thousands took to the streets to defend the charismatic leader and his calls for “reformasi” or reform.
But he was imprisoned the following year.
Anwar managed to secure an acquittal on the sodomy charge in 2004, but was imprisoned again in 2015 on similar allegations. From prison in 2018, he coordinated an opposition alliance and even teamed up with his former mentor-turned-enemy Mahathir to oust then-Prime Minister Najib Razak amid the multibillion-dollar corruption scandal. to the state fund 1MDB.
At the time, Anwar was appointed official Prime Minister-in-waiting, but was again denied the post when further clashes with Mahathir brought down their government. Amid the instability, Najib’s United Malayan National Organization (UMNO), which voters had outright rejected in the 2018 vote, returned to government, although Najib himself was jailed after the first of five lawsuits related to 1MDB.
For Anwar’s supporters, his rise to the top after decades of turmoil is a testament to the power of perseverance.
Anwar “taught us to never give up on our dreams,” Twitter user @aidarazman wrote. “PM at 75? We have so much more to live.
anwar taught us never to give up on our dreams. PM at 75? we have so much more to discover 😭😭😭
— Aida (@aidarazman) November 24, 2022
“Hard not to be moved watching this knowing the challenges he and his family have faced,” @edwardkuruvilla wrote, posting a photo from Anwar’s swearing-in ceremony. “May your tenure be excellent,” he added.
Anwar Ibrahim has (finally) been sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia! It’s hard not to be moved watching this, knowing the challenges he and his family have faced. May your tenure be excellent and bring glory to Malaysia. Our PM. #Reformasi pic.twitter.com/Lr69dcbah5
— Edward Kuruvilla (@edwardkuruvilla) November 24, 2022
Many supporters of the new leader have also mocked Mahathir, who is now 97 and is accused of thwarting Anwar’s ambitions. The former prime minister failed to defend his seat in Saturday’s election, failing to win even the 12.5% of the vote needed to recoup the thousands of Malaysian ringgits he paid as election bail.
“God made Mahathir live long enough to see Anwar Ibrahim become Prime Minister of Malaysia,” Twitter user @_nsyakinah wrote.
God made Mahathir live long enough to see Anwar Ibrahim become Prime Minister of Malaysia.
— شكينة (@_nsyakinah) November 24, 2022
“Remember, Dr Mahathir not only lived to see his deposit wiped out in an election and his only political objective for the past 30 years, to prevent Anwar Ibrahim from being Prime Minister, will finally come to fruition… but in as a former prime minister, he will also be invited to attend Anwar’s swearing-in,” wrote Twitter user @amirulruslan.
Remember that Dr Mahathir not only lived to see his deposit wiped out in an election and that his only political objective for the past 30 years, to prevent Anwar Ibrahim from being prime minister, finally came to fruition… but in As a former prime minister, he will also be invited to attend Anwar’s swearing-in.
—Amirul Ruslan (@amirulruslan) November 24, 2022
“What a year,” @mhmgrgie wrote. “Najib is going to jail. Mahathir loses his installment and now Anwar is prime minister. History would be an understatement…”
What year. Najib goes to jail, Mahathir loses bail and now Anwar is prime minister. History would be an understatement.
— MHM (@mhmgrgie) November 24, 2022
Anwar’s followers also took a moment to appreciate his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who they say was instrumental in his rise.
Twitter user @JustinTWJ described the 69-year-old as the “mother of Reformasi”, noting her role in leading Anwar’s Reformasi movement after her imprisonment and her role in mobilizing the alliance that made fall Najib. “I can’t imagine the strength she has to do everything.”
– Gave him unwavering support and love for Anwar to be the Prime Minister of Malaysia.
– Became Leader of the Opposition for a brief period
– The First Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
– Saw her husband go to jail twice.I can’t imagine the strength she has to do everything. 🫡
– not typical. (@JustinTWJ) November 24, 2022
Twitter user @tsimitha wrote: “This incredible woman who was at the heart of the Reformasi movement made this day possible! Women are born leaders!
You know what struck me the most during the swearing-in ceremony? Watching @drwanazizah sitting there, overlooking AI being sworn. This incredible woman who was the heart of #Reformasi movement made this day a reality! Women are born leaders! We need more women in politics! #PM10 #Malaysia pic.twitter.com/QmFv0eXXjx
— Simitha Singam – சிமித்தா சிங்கம் (@tsimitha) November 24, 2022
For his part, Anwar said on Twitter that he would carry out the duties entrusted to him with the “utmost humility”.
“Without your support and efforts, we would not be able to achieve this today,” he added.
Terima kasih semua kepada yang terus mengutus ucapan tahniah dan saya amat menghargainya. Tanpa dukungan dan usaha kalian, kita tidak mampu mencapainya hari ini. #DemiPertiwi pic.twitter.com/3Q40ehaovH
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) November 24, 2022