Give Anwar Time to Clean Up the Country Before GE16 – Analysts

KUALA LUMPUR: No party should pressure Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to bring forward the 16th General Election (GE16) at this time.

Misrinah Misban, a Senior Lecturer at the School of International Studies (SoIS), College of Law, Government and International Studies (COLGIS), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), said Anwar is currently in the process of cleaning up the country from misconduct and corruption allegedly committed under previous administrations.

“All parties should appreciate these efforts and refrain from making unhelpful statements. Give Anwar the opportunity to clean up the country.

“What the Prime Minister is doing now is crucial for the country’s future progress, although some may view it as politically motivated,” she said in a statement today.

Previously, Amanah Deputy President Datuk Seri Mujahid Yusof Rawa said the Prime Minister should not entertain calls from UMNO for an early general election, as there are still many people-centred agendas, particularly those involving the economy and public well-being, that need to be prioritised.

Mujahid said the government still has until the end of 2027 in its current term, providing an important period for it to implement these agendas.

Meanwhile, Dr Mazlan Che Soh, a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, UiTM Seremban, said there was no need to rush into calling GE16 as long as the current government remained stable and continued to have the mandate to govern.

He said elections are an important democratic process, but the administration of the country should not constantly remain in election mode.

Mazlan said Anwar’s government should be given the space to complete the agendas currently being implemented, particularly efforts to strengthen governance, combat corruption and abuse of power, and close loopholes that allow leakages within the country’s administrative system.

“Efforts to clean up the country should not be viewed solely in the context of arresting or prosecuting certain individuals. More importantly, they should involve building systems and institutions capable of preventing similar wrongdoing from recurring in the future.

“That is why reforms such as strengthening transparency in government procurement, freedom of information, checks and balances, and institutional accountability need to be given sufficient time to be completed before their effectiveness can be assessed,” he stressed.

At the same time, he said giving the Prime Minister room to complete these agendas did not mean giving the government a blank cheque, as it must continue to be scrutinised by Parliament, the media, civil society and the public.

He added that every enforcement action must also be based on the law, evidence and due process, regardless of an individual’s position or background.

“Therefore, I believe the priority now should be administrative stability, economic recovery, the well-being of the people and the completion of institutional reforms.

“When GE16 eventually takes place, the people will have every right to assess whether this government has truly succeeded in delivering what it promised.

“It is better for the government to be judged based on the results of the reforms it has had the opportunity to implement, rather than shortening its term merely because of short-term political calculations,” he said.

Astro Awani