Unlike Malaysia’s last few leaders, who did all they could to avoid a confidence vote in parliament, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is eager to prove that he commands a majority in parliament.
Anwar on Monday will look to cement his grip on power by proving the coalition he put together after the Nov. 19 general election is stable and can govern effectively. Party commitments so far would give him the backing of nearly two-thirds of the nation’s 222 lawmakers, a supermajority that no Malaysian leader has obtained since 2008.
“I would like to lead with a clear mandate, supported by the majority of MPs,” Anwar said earlier this month. On Friday, party leaders in Anwar’s unity government signed a pact to ensure his administration completes a full five-year term. “There is no reason why we should be talking in terms of fragility or problems to be encountered,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony.
