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Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's first 100 days has not produced any results, claimed former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.
He was speaking at a press conference after attending a dialogue at the Perdana Leadership Foundation on Mar. 4, reported Utusan Malaysia.
"Only good at talking"
"[Anwar] makes statements every day saying he wants to do various things, but the situation remains the same because he is only good at talking," Mahathir said.
"He is just making promises to gain support," he added, according to Free Malaysia Today.
Mahathir further explained that the 2023 Malaysian budget was just another means for Anwar to gain support and popularity.
"The budget is said to be the biggest in history but the people don't realise that it means the government has to borrow a lot of money to pay up to RM1.5 trillion (S$451.5 billion) in debt which will be inherited by the people," he said.
This is not the first time Anwar received criticism from former Malaysian prime ministers.
Muhyiddin Yassin, from Bersatu and the opposition Perikatan Nasional coalition, also called out Anwar on what he said were "mistakes" that Anwar had made at the very start of his prime ministership.
First moves as prime minister
Anwar was appointed as Malaysian prime minister on Nov. 24 2022 after nearly three decades of being in the opposition.
He has consolidated support by vowing not to take a salary as a prime minister as an act of solidarity with Malaysians who were struggling with the rising cost of living.
His cabinet ministers also agreed to take a 20 per cent pay cut.
Most recently, Anwar told the parliament that he had no plans to implement a goods and services tax (GST) or any form of broad-based consumption tax but is looking to reduce subsidies for the wealthy.
The Anwar-Mahathir saga
Anwar and Mahathir have a long, complicated history, beginning when both were in Umno, with Mahathir as prime minister and Anwar widely tipped to succeed him.
However, their relationship soured during the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997, and in 1998, Anwar was charged with sodomy and corruption, leading to a prison sentence.
Anwar then became an opposition politician following his release from prison, campaigning against Umno governments. In a surprise move, he teamed up with Mahathir after the latter quit Umno to form a new party, Bersatu.
The Anwar-Mahathir alliance in the form of Pakatan Harapan led to a victory in 2018, but Mahathir fell out with Anwar again in 2020. Bersatu's withdrawal from Pakatan Harapan led to the collapse of the government in 2020, paving the way for Umno to take over once more.
In 2022, both men stood in the general election. Anwar's party won the most number of seats and formed a surprise alliance with Umno to form a unity government, with Anwar as prime minister. Meanwhile, Mahathir lost both his bid to become a Member of Parliament, and his deposit.
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Top image via Perdana Leadership Foundation/Facebook and Anwar Ibrahim/Facebook