The Straits Times Podcasts S2E33: Plain sailing for PM Anwar on a global stage, but rough ride at home
Jun 26, 2025
Shannon Teoh, the Malaysia bureau chief at The Straits Times, and Ariel Tan, a senior fellow at RSIS, discuss Malaysia's diplomatic achievements and domestic challenges. They highlight PM Anwar’s significant presence at international forums like the ASEAN Summit while facing rising skepticism back home. The conversation dives into issues of nepotism within his government and the implications for upcoming elections. They also examine the delicate balance of Malaysia's relationships with global powers, particularly in light of current political turmoil.
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Malaysia's ASEAN Diplomacy Impact
- Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship produced incremental but meaningful progress on issues like Myanmar and trade tensions.
- Anwar leverages diplomatic engagements to enhance Malaysia's global stature despite ASEAN's slow-moving nature.
Domestic Focus vs Global Diplomacy
- Malaysian public focus remains on domestic issues rather than international affairs.
- Anwar's global diplomacy is a source of national pride despite limited widespread attention to these matters.
PKR's Internal Turmoil Exposed
- PKR's recent internal elections hinted at nepotism with Nurul Izzah's rise causing public skepticism.
- Rafizi Ramli's exit reveals ongoing factional struggles and raises doubts about party reform promises.