KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) - Feeling the heat at home, Malaysia's 'now-you-see-now-you-don't reformist' PM Anwar Ibrahim steps on the gas during overseas tours to China and now New York to drum up investments.
But despite his ministers rushing to bill him as Malaysia's "best salesman" and Anwar himself zapping X with a tweeting spree on his exploits in New York, most Malaysians were still deeply critical and angry at his 'politics of hypocrisy'.
"Aku tak nak usik tapi kan, aku takleh. Anwar pergi New York, dia punya setting macam dapat investor berjuta, tapi kan
korang tengok berapa kerat Mat Salleh yang datang? Pastu kan, ada Puad Zakakechik plak tu…alahai
," says a social media user on X who goes by the handle @Salim_Iskandar, pointing out that Anwar's events were attended by more Malaysians or Asians than Americans.
(I don't wish to mock. Anwar goes to New York, portraying a setting he had got millions of investors but don't see many Western faces there)
Oblivious or perhaps to shut out the deafening torrent of criticism against his leadership, Anwar today assured global investors Malaysia is taking 'necessary reforms' and 'doing its utmost to rectify past mistakes' which saw the country’s progress and socioeconomic development being stymied after decades of progress.
Yet it was not his past 2 predecessors - ex-PM Ismail Sabri or ex-PM Muhyiddin Yassin - who controversially freed his DPM Zahid Hamidi from massive counts of corruption charges, even though the court had already found sufficient prima face evidence to support a trial.
Anwar's government has since embarked on a move to clamp down on critics, blogs and social media that are critical of his weak leadership and disorganized governance style, that depend on toadying and flattery for fuel.
In his New York trip, where he is also due to give his maiden speech to the UN General Assembly, Anwar engaged with 15 (US) Fortune 500 companies, including Airbnb, Amazon, Amazon Web Services, Boeing, ConocoPhillips and Kimberly-Clark in his mission to attract foreign direct investments (FDI) to Malaysia, according to Bernama.
According to Malaysia's Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, world leaders are 'waiting eagerly' to hear what Anwar has to say to the UNGA.
"Many world leaders we've spoken to before had expressed their eagerness over the prime minister's speech in this assembly, based on his experience and leadership," the NST reported Zambry as saying.
Among the world leaders scheduled to attend include United States' president Joe Biden and Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky, who are scheduled to meet and discuss, among others, Russia's military incursion.
RELATED STORY: NOW, 'TIN KOSONG' IS BANNED IN ANWAR'S MALAYSIA??!
Notable absentees include French president Emmanuel Macron; and UK Prime MInister Rishi Sunak, who are unable to attend due to domestic commitments.
Russian president Vladimir Putin will also be absent following concerns of being arrested if he travels abroad, while Chinese president Xi Jinping has yet to make an appearance at the assembly. The absence of big names at the UNGA are not unusual.
As such, the foolish and vain bid to use the global stage to flatter, glorify and somehow 'cleanse' Anwar from his political and governance mishaps at home looks bound to backfire. Not for nothing is Anwar nicknamed as 'Tin Kosong' - or an empty vessel that likes to make grandiose speeches and even grander-sounding double-speak, but in reality his achievements leave much to be desired.
Hopefully, Anwar and Zambry's chiefs of staff will be smart enough to round up a 'crowd' to watch and applaud as their 'hero' speak!
-POLITICS NOW!
Comments