Anwar Ibrahim implored Malaysia’s civil service to cooperate with him on Tuesday, as the reformist prime minister faces an uphill task to win over the traditionally pro-establishment workforce.
The 75-year-old leader was named prime minister last week after an inconclusive vote resulted in a hung parliament and led to rival leaders rushing to muster support. Now, as a head of a unity government, winning over the 1.2 million civil servants will be crucial to Anwar’s political longevity as they execute policies and form a key vote bank.
