139 Facts About Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar Ibrahim was the 7th deputy prime minister since 1993 as well as finance minister since 1991 and was prominent in Malaysia's response to the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

In 1998, Anwar Ibrahim was removed from all posts by the prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and went on to spearhead the Reformasi movement against the government.

Anwar Ibrahim was jailed in April 1999 on charges of corruption and sodomy until his release in 2004 after his conviction was overturned.

Anwar Ibrahim made a comeback as the 12th leader of the opposition from 2008 to 2015.

Anwar Ibrahim merged opposition parties into the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, which unsuccessfully contested in the 2008 and 2013 general elections.

Anwar Ibrahim disputed the results of the 2013 elections and led a protest in response.

Mahathir outlined a plan for Anwar Ibrahim to take over from himself as prime minister after an unspecified interim period.

Anwar Ibrahim received a royal pardon from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Muhammad V and was released from prison in May 2018.

Anwar Ibrahim returned to parliament in the 2018 Port Dickson by-election while his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail served as the deputy prime Minister in the PH administration.

On 2 December 2022, Anwar Ibrahim appointed various members of parliament from Pakatan Harapan, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and UMNO to serve as ministers in the cabinet of the newly formed unity government.

Anwar Ibrahim, referred to as a liberal reformer and intellectual, has advocated for Islamic democracy and has stated he hopes Malaysia will become an example of democratic practices in the Muslim world.

Anwar bin Ibrahim was born on 10 August 1947 in Cherok Tok Kun, Bukit Mertajam, Crown Colony of Penang, Malayan Union.

Anwar Ibrahim won election as Seberang Tengah MP in 1959 and 1964, serving as the parliamentary secretary to the ministry of health from 1964 until his defeat in the 1969 general election by Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia candidate Mustapha Hussain.

Anwar Ibrahim's mother, Che Yan binti Hussein, was a housewife active in UMNO grassroots politics in Penang who served as head of the UMNO Women for Bukit Mertajam division in Penang.

Anwar Ibrahim attended three primary schools, Sekolah Melayu Sungai Bakap, Sekolah Melayu Cherok Tok Kun and Sekolah Rendah Stowell, Bukit Mertajam and undertook his secondary education at Bukit Mertajam High School before continuing at Malay College Kuala Kangsar.

Anwar Ibrahim attended Bukit Mertajam High School for three years, where he excelled academically.

Anwar Ibrahim was selected to take a special examination for entry into Malay College Kuala Kangsar, one of only three students from Penang to be chosen for this prestigious institution.

Anwar Ibrahim was active in the Malay Language Association and his school oratory representative.

Anwar Ibrahim served as the Secretary of the Badan Revolusi Agama Association, where the Chairman was Sanusi Junid, his senior.

Anwar Ibrahim later pursued higher education at the University of Malaya, earning a bachelor's degree of arts in Malay Studies.

Anwar Ibrahim worked on his Master of Arts in Literature through the National University of Malaysia while imprisoned from 1974 to 1975.

From 1968 to 1971, as a student, Anwar Ibrahim was the president of the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students.

In 1974, Anwar Ibrahim was arrested during student protests against rural poverty and hunger.

Anwar Ibrahim was imprisoned under the Internal Security Act, which allowed for detention without trial and spent 20 months in the Kamunting Detention Centre.

Anwar Ibrahim is the co-founder of the International Institute of Islamic Thought in the USA.

Anwar Ibrahim has been one of four acting directors, a board member of IIIT and a trustee.

Anwar Ibrahim was a chancellor of International Islamic University Malaysia between 1988 and 1998.

In 1982, Anwar Ibrahim, who was the founding leader and second president of ABIM, joined the United Malays National Organisation, which was led by Mahathir Mohamad, who had become prime minister in 1981.

Anwar Ibrahim's decision was influenced by the advice of Palestinian-American scholar Ismail al-Faruqi, who recognised the Mahathir administration's commitment to its Islamization agenda.

Anwar Ibrahim defeated a candidate from PAS, even though the seat was regarded as a PAS stronghold.

Anwar Ibrahim rapidly rose to high-ranking positions; he first entered cabinet in 1982 as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department; his first ministerial office was that of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports in 1983; after that, he headed the Agriculture Ministry in 1984 before becoming Minister of Education in 1986.

In 1988, Anwar Ibrahim became the second President of IIUM.

Anwar Ibrahim backed free-market principles and highlighted the proximity of business and politics in Malaysia.

Anwar Ibrahim advocated greater accountability, refused to offer government bail-outs and instituted widespread spending cuts.

In March 1998, Anwar Ibrahim was selected as the Chairman of the Development Committee of World Bank and International Monetary Fund from March 1998 until September 1998.

In May 1997, Mahathir appointed Anwar Ibrahim as Acting Prime Minister while he embarked on a two-month working holiday.

In Mahathir's absence, Anwar Ibrahim had independently taken radical steps, which directly conflicted with Mahathir's policies, to change the country's governing mechanisms.

Anwar Ibrahim obtained a court injunction to prevent further distribution of the book and filed a lawsuit against the author for defamation.

On 2 September 1998, Anwar Ibrahim was fired from the Cabinet, and many reports state that he was under investigation for sodomy, an act that is illegal in Malaysia.

In what the Sydney Morning Herald termed a blatantly political fix-up, Anwar Ibrahim was arrested on 20 September 1998 and detained without trial under the country's controversial Internal Security Act.

Weeks later, Anwar Ibrahim was charged with corruption for allegedly interfering with his own police investigation.

Anwar Ibrahim made a public apology to Anwar and paid undisclosed damages.

Anwar Ibrahim denied having anything to do with the mattress, although the DNA tests came out positive.

The Federal Court overturned his conviction and Anwar Ibrahim was finally released from solitary confinement on 2 September 2004.

Shortly after Anwar Ibrahim was dismissed as deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim and his supporters initiated the Reformasi movement.

In 1999, Anwar Ibrahim brought suit against Prime Minister Mahathir for defamation for allegedly uttering accusations of immoral acts and calling Anwar Ibrahim a homosexual at a news conference in Malaysia.

However, on 15 September, the Court of Appeal ruled unanimously that its previous decision to uphold a High Court ruling that found Anwar Ibrahim guilty was in order, relegating Anwar Ibrahim to the sidelines of Malaysian politics until 14 April 2008.

The only way for Anwar Ibrahim to have been freed from this structure would have been for him to receive a pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

In July 2006, Anwar Ibrahim was elected Chair of the Washington-based Foundation For the Future.

Anwar Ibrahim was one of the signatories of "A Common Word Between Us and You" in 2007, an open letter by Islamic scholars to Christian leaders, calling for peace and understanding.

In November 2006, Anwar Ibrahim announced he planned to run for Parliament in 2008 after his disqualification expired.

Anwar Ibrahim was critical of government policies after his release from prison, most notably the New Economic Policy, which provided affirmative action for the Bumiputras.

Anwar Ibrahim was at the forefront in organising a November 2007 mass rally, called the 2007 Bersih Rally, which took place at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, to demand clean and fair elections.

On 14 April 2008, Anwar Ibrahim celebrated his official return to the political stage, as his ban from public office expired a decade after he was fired as deputy prime minister.

Anwar Ibrahim was victorious in the Permatang Pauh by-election held on 26 August 2008.

Anwar Ibrahim formally declared Anwar the leader of the 3-party opposition alliance.

On 26 August 2008, Anwar Ibrahim won re-election in the Permatang Pauh by-election and returned to Parliament as Leader of the Opposition.

Anwar Ibrahim has stated the need for liberalisation, including an independent judiciary and free media, to combat the endemic corruption that he considers pushes Malaysia close to failed state status.

Anwar Ibrahim continued to attack Najib on his first day as prime minister, stating he found inconsistencies in the latter's decision to release 13 Internal Security Act detainees.

Anwar Ibrahim said as long as the ISA existed, Barisan Nasional could still detain citizens at will.

Anwar Ibrahim has made numerous remarks about a supposed conspiracy among the Malaysian government, APCO, Israel, and the United States.

Anwar Ibrahim condemned the Malaysian government for seeking advice from APCO.

Anwar Ibrahim further implied that changes in Malaysian foreign policy could only be explained if Jews were manipulating Malaysia for the United States.

On 22 April 2010 Anwar Ibrahim was censured by Malaysia's parliament for remarks he made during a press conference in parliament on 30 March 2010.

However Anwar Ibrahim retaliated against the Malaysian government attacks by producing two documents to support his claims of links between APCO and 1Malaysia.

Anwar Ibrahim has missed several deadlines he personally set for the transfer of power.

Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi too pointed out that Anwar Ibrahim had missed his own deadline, and dismissed his claim to have secured the defection of 30 MPs.

On 24 October 2008, Anwar Ibrahim admitted problems with his stalled bid to topple the UMNO's majority, saying that Pakatan Rakyat is running out of options to create a majority.

Anwar Ibrahim, who has taught at Oxford and Georgetown University, said he would return to academic life if he lost the next election to incumbent prime minister Najib Razak.

Al Jazeera reported that Anwar Ibrahim came close to winning the election on 5 May 2013 but refused to admit defeat, and therefore did not step down.

On 7 May 2013, Anwar Ibrahim vowed to lead a "fierce movement" to reform the country's electoral system and challenge the results of an election he lost.

Anwar Ibrahim immediately launched electoral petitions for over 30 disputed parliamentary seats in July 2013.

Anwar Ibrahim described the decision as a bad decision and disgraced the name of the country's judicial institution.

Anwar Ibrahim's candidacy was originally to propel him to become Selangor's Menteri Besar.

Anwar Ibrahim was able to continue using the "Datuk Seri" title because it had been conferred on him by several other Malaysian states.

Anwar Ibrahim said that the possibility of a prison sentence as a result of the allegations could be seen as an attempt to remove him from the leadership of the opposition following his growing support and by-election victories.

Anwar Ibrahim reaffirmed his innocence and cited evidence in the form of medical reports.

The conviction was viewed by some as a politically motivated attempt to prevent Anwar Ibrahim from contesting in the 2014 Kajang by-election, which he was expected to win and becoming Selangor's chief minister.

Anwar Ibrahim was sent immediately to Sungai Buloh Prison, Selangor, to serve the sentence.

Anwar Ibrahim was designated to take over the reins from interim Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as planned and agreed by the coalition before GE14.

Anwar Ibrahim added that he was keen to travel and honour speaking engagements.

Anwar Ibrahim indicated that he initially had reservations about Mahathir's "reconciliation efforts", but he eventually forgave his former enemy after Mahathir showed "compassion and concern which thought was absent in the past".

Anwar Ibrahim returned to Parliament through the Port Dickson by-election on 13 October 2018, after receiving a royal pardon for a sodomy conviction he maintained was politically motivated.

Anwar Ibrahim won the by-election with an increased majority, returning to Parliament for the first time in three years.

In September 2020, Anwar Ibrahim attempted to form a new government, claiming that he had amassed a "formidable" majority, and submitted the number of 120 members of parliament to the then-Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Abdullah of Pahang.

However, this move failed and Anwar Ibrahim, speaking at a party congress in July 2022, claimed that he had been forced to back down after refusing to provide assurances to Barisan Nasional and UMNO leaders that he would discontinue their court cases.

Anwar Ibrahim announced he would be contesting the Tambun parliamentary seat in the 2022 general election and that if he became prime minister, he would form a smaller cabinet and reduce cabinet ministers' salaries.

Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as Malaysia's 10th Prime Minister on 24 November 2022, by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah, after consulting with the Conference of Rulers of Malaysia.

However, Muhyiddin continued to insist that he had the support of a majority of 115 MPs to form the next government and called on Anwar Ibrahim to prove his majority by revealing his statutory declarations.

Anwar Ibrahim pledged to hold a vote of confidence on 19 December 2022, once MPs had been sworn into the Dewan Rakyat.

Anwar Ibrahim reiterated that he will not be taking any form of government salary during his tenure as Prime Minister and Finance Minister as a sign of his leadership and to gain the confidence of the people.

Anwar Ibrahim announced his cabinet on 2 December 2022, appointing himself as the Minister of Finance.

Anwar Ibrahim appointed President of UMNO Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the Parliamentary Whip of Gabungan Parti Sarawak Fadillah Yusof as the Deputy Prime Ministers.

On 12 December 2023, Anwar Ibrahim carried out the first cabinet reshuffle, appointing five new ministers and deputy ministers respectively.

Anwar Ibrahim has expressed support for changing method of teaching Islamic studies in schools to emphasise "universal humanity values", and teaching the history of Islamic civilisation at all levels.

Anwar Ibrahim faced criticism after he expanded the role of Department of Islamic Development Malaysia to include providing input on policy decisions, a move made in response to claims that his government had "abandoned Islam".

Anwar Ibrahim refuted claims that he was displaying a "strong Islamist attitude", arguing that the broadening of JAKIM's responsibilities is intended to allow for Muslims to gain a deeper knowledge of Islam, which Anwar claims would help avoid inter-community conflict.

Anwar Ibrahim has defended the decision to introduce an appreciation module for Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadith in public schools, clarifying that it was not intended for non-Muslim students, with the education ministry stating the module was introduced "with the aim of fostering the spirit of kindness and love".

Anwar Ibrahim has come under fire from many long-time supporters who accused him of not following through on past commitments.

When Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was discharged without amounting to an acquittal on some of the bribery charges against him, Anwar Ibrahim was accused of placing political power ahead of principles, with the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance leaving government and joining the opposition as a result.

Polls have shown Anwar Ibrahim's popularity falling even as he attempted to garner more support from Malay-Muslim voters.

Anwar Ibrahim has publicly stated that he would be open to the inclusion of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, a major component of the opposition Perikatan Nasional coalition, if they accepted his conditions; including ensuring every citizen regardless of religious identity a place in the country.

In October 2023, Anwar Ibrahim ordered government institutions not to entertain letters written in a language other than the national language, as part of an effort to promote and empower its use.

On 28 January 2024, Anwar Ibrahim appointed pro-govt Bersatu Bukit Gantang MP Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz to lead the government committee on rising food prices and the cost of living.

Anwar Ibrahim participated in the seventh Bumiputera Economic Congress convened by UMNO in February 2024 where he announced the allocation of RM1 billion to establish and grow a bumiputera entrepreneur class through government-linked and government-owned companies, despite having previously expressed the need to move beyond race-based affirmative action.

On 28 January 2023, Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia would print one million copies of the Quran to be distributed worldwide in response to the 2023 Quran burnings in Sweden.

In October 2023, Anwar Ibrahim publicly condemned Israel in the Gaza war and urged for a ceasefire, calling for Palestinians to be "treated as human beings".

On 20 December 2023, Anwar Ibrahim announced an immediate ban on ships bearing the Israeli flag from docking in Malaysia.

In March 2024, on a trip to Germany, Anwar Ibrahim clarified that the Malaysian government only engages with Hamas' political wing and did not condone the killings of civilians.

On 14 May 2024, Anwar Ibrahim met with top Hamas leaders in Qatar, a move that led to criticism.

On 18 June 2024, Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia wants to join the BRICS grouping of emerging economies.

Anwar Ibrahim later sought to ease concerns about Malaysia's potential membership in the BRICS intergovernmental organisation, emphasising that it would not impact domestic politics.

In November 2024, Anwar Ibrahim undertook an official visit to Egypt at the invitation of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, marking the 65th anniversary of Malaysia-Egypt diplomatic relations.

Anwar Ibrahim encouraged students to integrate Islamic values with technological advancement, particularly in areas like artificial intelligence.

Anwar Ibrahim was advised to be careful with his rhetoric on the new US administration policies on Gaza.

Anwar Ibrahim has been vocal about his criticism of the claimants as well as the arbitration award announced by Spanish lawyer and arbitrator Gonzalo Stampa, calling the decision "sham and abusive".

The Malaysian government led by Anwar Ibrahim won a major battle early in 2023 when the Spanish Constitutional Court rejected Sulu claimants' appeal against the annulment of the appointment Gonzalo Stampa as the arbitrator.

Anwar Ibrahim hailed the decision as a "landmark victory", adding that it would put an end to "the frivolous attempts" of the claimants to enforce the award in foreign jurisdictions.

Anwar Ibrahim said the Malaysian government "would not entertain any claims, be it by the Sulu claimants or the Philippine government, as Sabah is Malaysia's 'sacred' territory".

Since becoming Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim's tenure has been characterised by restrictions on press freedom through crackdowns on social media and news websites, arrests of political opponents on charges of sedition, and controversial decisions to award government contracts favouring political cronies.

On 3 January 2023, Anwar Ibrahim appointed his daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar Ibrahim as the Chief Economic and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, which raised doubts and disagreements from all sides and garnered criticism for government nepotism.

Several NGOs, including the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall criticised Anwar Ibrahim for presiding over the ceremony.

Former Penang deputy chief minister Ramasamy Palanisamy said that such an act shows that Anwar Ibrahim has no respect or gratitude towards the Indian community, which has sacrificed a lot for the welfare of the country.

An activist, who criticised Anwar Ibrahim's act of converting a Hindu man to Islam was questioned by the police.

However, Anwar Ibrahim has denied having any involvement in the court's decision and stressed the independence of Malaysia's judiciary while mentioning that then attorney-general Idrus Harun insisted on seeking a conditional discharge.

Anwar Ibrahim has advocated for Islamic democracy and has expressed hope that Malaysia be an example of democratic practices in the Muslim world.

Anwar Ibrahim has called for judicial independence, good governance and rejection of authoritarianism.

Anwar Ibrahim believes that there are good and bad Jews, just as there are good and bad Muslims.

In May 2010, B'nai B'rith International, a prominent Jewish human rights organisation, argued that Anwar Ibrahim has used his position in Malaysian parliament to spread anti-Semitic propaganda, such as his claim that Israeli spies are "directly involved in the running of the government".

Anwar Ibrahim later clarified his stance, saying that the remarks were consistent with the two-state solution adopted by the United Nations and Malaysia itself.

Anwar Ibrahim has condemned US bias over the Israel-Palestine conflict, and called for Malaysia to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

Anwar Ibrahim has expressed evolving views on LGBTQ rights throughout his political career.

However, in 2018, Anwar Ibrahim urged religious people to counter the demand by "super liberals" to recognise LGBT lifestyle, claiming that these liberals should not force society to accept their views on LGBT rights.

In 2022, he filed a defamation suit against Perak PAS Commissioner Razman Zakaria who claimed that Anwar Ibrahim would push the LGBT agenda and support communism, asserting that he has always denounced the LGBT agenda and has been an advocate of Islamic teachings and values.

Anwar Ibrahim suggested that the sodomy laws should be reviewed to prevent abuse and political persecution.

Anwar Ibrahim married Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on 26 February 1980.

Anwar Ibrahim once appeared in court with a black eye.

Anwar Ibrahim has professed an interest in the works of William Shakespeare, and said that he read a copy of his complete works four and a half times during his imprisonment.

Anwar Ibrahim presented a paper to the World Shakespeare Congress in 2006.