Najib's house arrest poor optics for Anwar, but his unity government stays intact for now

Résumé détaillé

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s anti-corruption agenda has taken a perceived hit even though he does not have the final say in former premier Najib Razak’s house arrest.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s anti-corruption agenda has taken a perceived hit even though he does not have the final say in former premier Najib Razak’s house arrest.

KUALA LUMPUR: After a high-profile legal struggle regarding a disputed royal order that started in 2024, Malaysia’s former premier Najib Razak finally returned home on Tuesday (Nov 10) to serve the remainder of his prison sentence for corruption.

For the embattled Najib, who still faces other legal battles linked to the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal, the move marks a significant personal victory after four years behind bars - one that has also sent political ripples through Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's unity government.

Analysts said Najib’s shift from prison to house arrest has created an optics problem for Anwar, even as they believe this, and the ensuing resignation of a Cabinet minister and key coalition partner, would not further threaten the stability of his federal unity government.

The current administration, which includes Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition and the Malay-based Barisan Nasional (BN) alliance that Najib once led, is on shaky ground after fighting out several state elections as foes. They are set to lock horns once more at the Melaka state election this Saturday.

Najib’s return could further embolden BN lynchpin party United Malays National Organisation’s (UMNO) dealings with Anwar, the analysts said, and spark growing calls from UMNO’s grassroots for an early general election, otherwise due by February 2028.

On Tuesday, the same day that Najib began serving his house arrest, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi - who is also UMNO president - reiterated his call for parliament to be dissolved early.

At the country’s 16th national polls, PH supporters must decide whether the perceived leniency for Najib is worthy of punishing the reformist coalition, the analysts added, allowing BN and its likely partner, the opposition Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, to…

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