Disillusioned by Anwar, Malaysia celebrates independence

Yesterday marked the 68th anniversary of Merdeka, Independence Day, a time to assert a patriotic spirit that contrasts with a reality marked by discontent. Protests against the prime minister are mounting over the rising cost of living, declining opportunities, and lack of reform. Without quick results, people will “keep going to the streets,” expert tells AsiaNews.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews) – The promises of freedom have remained unfulfilled. In this spirit, Malaysians celebrated the 68th anniversary of Independence (Merdeka) Day yesterday, with the national flag (Jalur Gemilang) flying high to mark the end of British colonial rule in 1957 and the birth of the federation in 1963.

The display of patriotic spirit contrasts with the reality and promises of freedom that, for many, are still unfulfilled or incomplete. The recent protest march under the slogan "Turun Anwar" (Anwar resign!) reflected this discontent, with people loudly calling on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to quit.

This dissatisfaction is not limited to the head of government, but is a consequence of the rising cost of living, the decline in opportunities, and the sense that the reformist hopes associated with the government are fading.

“We were told Anwar would be different, that he would fight for ordinary people,” said Angela Nathan, a 21-year-old university student who joined the rally. “However, things are becoming increasingly difficult, not easier. My friends and I worry about jobs, about whether we can even afford to stay in Malaysia after we graduate.”

These feelings reflect deep wounds that have never fully healed. Corruption scandals continue to undermine trust in institutions. Race and religion remain deeply politicised fault lines, often exploited to divert attention from structural problems.

Pressures arising from the cost of living are felt more acutely due to stagnant wages, and younger generations, less patient than their parents, demand concrete results, not rhetoric.

A street food seller in Kampung Baru, Abdullah Bahrain, summed it up more bluntly: “Politicians promise the sky, but we still struggle every day. When my suppliers raise prices, I either lose customers or make no profit. We can’t be sustained on promises alone.”

Malaysia's journey since independence has often been marked by contrasts. The country boasts gleaming skyscrapers, world-class infrastructure, and a reputation as a moderate, multifaith society.

Yet beneath the surface, inequality continues to grow. While elites grow rich, rural and indigenous communities remain backward and marginalised, with limited access to quality education, basic healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Against this backdrop, Anwar Ibrahim finds himself in a precarious position. Long hailed as a reformist icon who endured prison and persecution, he now holds the mantle of leadership many thought he would never achieve.

However, the expectations that accompanied him – cleaning up the political class, restoration of confidence, and economic revival – have clashed with the chaotic reality of a politics anchored in ruling coalitions and entrenched and consolidated interests.

“He has inherited decades of rot. Even if he is sincere, the system is resistant to change,” said a political analyst, speaking anonymously to AsiaNews.

Anwar's biggest challenge may be time. “People expect quick fixes, but structural reforms take years,” the expert explains. “If he fails to deliver something tangible soon, public patience will snap, and his legitimacy will weaken.”

This frustration explains why the "Turun Anwar" demonstration received such widespread attention. It wasn't so much a personal rejection of Anwar as a signal that Malaysians are no longer willing to wait indefinitely.

Independence Day celebrations accentuate this impatience, reminding people how far the country has come, but also how much further it still has to go. Angela, the student, remains cautiously optimistic despite her disillusionment.

“We’re not against Malaysia. We love our country. That’s why we protest,” she said. “We want Malaysia to fulfil its promise. But if leaders keep failing us, then we will have no choice but to keep going to the streets.”

• malaysia
• independence day
• merdeka
• anwar ibrahim
• economic crisis
• disillusionment
• dissatisfaction