As snap poll rumblings grow, Malaysia PM Anwar hobbled by internal strife and widening anti-graft controversy

The premier is facing multiple challenges that may force him to call early elections, nearly two years ahead of the February 2028 deadline, say analysts and insiders.

KUALA LUMPUR: A secret meeting between his coalition partner and the opposition, a long-time ally rethinking their ties, a former protege-turned-critic, and allegations besieging the country’s anti-graft chief.

These developments that are occurring almost concurrently now pose potentially the most serious threat to Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in his tenure so far, say insiders and observers.

They add that the pressure on Anwar and his “Unity Government" – a broad coalition built from several major alliances led by Anwar's four-member Pakatan Harapan (PH) – has reached an extent that it may force him to call early elections, nearly two years ahead of the February 2028 deadline.

“The pressure is building against him (PM Anwar) as if a perfect storm is brewing,” said an owner of a boutique financial advisory, who has tracked Malaysian politics for decades.

Of particular concern is a little-known meeting in Bangkok in mid-December, which reportedly took place between key leaders from the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) - a crucial Unity Government member - and two opposition parties, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), sources told CNA.