The time has come for untrustworthy, corrupt, and expired Stone-Age leaders be retired in the museum.
For three years, like a Mafia Godfather, PM Anwar Ibrahim watched proudly as leaders in the multi-coalition Unity Government kissed his ring. He loves the symbolic gesture of respect, loyalty and more importantly – submission. Leading the pack was the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), whose president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was Anwar’s former protégé during the 1990s.
Their relationship actually dates back further to the 1970s, when both were active as student leaders at Universiti Malaya. When Anwar was Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO Deputy President, Zahid was his close associate and leader of the UMNO Youth wing. Yes, some Gen-Z may not realise that Anwar was once the No. 2 man in the highly corrupt Malay nationalist party called UMNO.
And when the overly ambitious Anwar tried to overthrow his boss but was sacked by then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in 1998 for corruption and sodomy, Zahid famously criticised the Mahathir administration for cronyism and nepotism, aligning himself with Anwar. In 2022, as a reward for supporting Anwar as the 10th Prime Minister, Zahid’s 47 corruption charges were dropped overnight.
Following closely behind Zahid was the secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), Anthony Loke Siew Fook, a fast learner in the art of kissing Anwar’s ring. Until a total annihilation in the Sabah state election last November, which shocked DAP leaders drunk with power, Loke and his lemmings thought 95% of the Chinese voters would continue to blindly vote for them.
Although Anwar’s own party, PKR (People’s Justice Party), was similarly wiped out in Sabah, the PKR president remains arrogant and in denial. Surrounded by PKR bootlickers, he received assurance that the Sabah tsunami was an isolated case, confined only to the Borneo state, and would never reach the Peninsula. Amusingly, pro-Anwar propagandists, bloggers, cyber troopers, YouTubers and TikTokers sing the same tune.
The argument from Anwar cheerleaders was that, unlike Sabah, where Chinese swung their votes for Parti Warisan (Heritage Party), there is no third option in Peninsular Malaysia for disgruntled voters wishing to boycott Anwar-led Pakatan Harapan, an alliance comprised of PKR, DAP and Amanah. Therefore, the ethnic Chinese would have no choice but to vote for PKR and DAP because the alternative is worse.
“If you don’t vote for PKR or DAP, who can you vote for? Are you going to vote for the opposition – the racist bigot Bersatu or religious extremist PAS?” – Anwar cheerleaders would laugh, ridicule, and mock critics of the Madani government. They have forgotten that voters could still choose to stay at home as a form of protest, hence reducing Pakatan Harapan’s votes.
The best part is that despite pro-Anwar social media influencers trying to scare the ethnic Chinese and Indians that the racist and extremist Opposition would take away their rights if they came to power, it was the Anwar Ibrahim government that is now busy cracking down on pig farming in Selangor and Hindu temples nationwide.
However, one man smells the vacuum – and an opportunity – to satisfy the hunger for a credible third force in Peninsular. Rafizi Ramli, the man who refused to kiss Anwar’s ring unconditionally, has thrown a cat among the pigeons. Rafizi, who quit the government on May 28, 2025, after losing a contest for the deputy presidency of the Premier’s political party, has dropped a surprise that set tongues wagging.
The former Economy Minister told Harapan Pakatan supporters who are increasingly upset and disillusioned with Anwar’s leadership to wait till June, hinting that a new option would be unveiled as he and his allies are open to “sailing their own ship”. The Pandan MP hinted his team is exploring different political configurations, which could involve a new party, coalition, or another political platform.
However, in another interview with Sin Chew Daily, Rafizi said he would not join a “third force”, not looking to form a new party, and would not work with former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin. Yet, Rafizi said he plans to defend his Pandan parliamentary seat in the next 16th General Election, but definitely not under the PKR banner – suggesting he may contest as an independent candidate.
The best option is to form a new party. But Rafizi knew the Anwar government would use every dirty trick in the book to block his attempt to form a new political party set to challenge Anwar’s People’s Justice Party. By hook or by crook, the prime minister – incredibly terrified of the 48-year-old popular Rafizi – would use errand boy Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution to not approve Rafizi’s new ship.
While the simplest, fastest and easiest way is to create a new Third Force – gathering Jedis who share the same goal to contest as independent candidates – and hope to win enough seats to become the kingmaker, there is another way to differentiate this new alignment. Rafizi understood that merely contesting as independent candidates in the Peninsular rarely works, unlike in Sabah.
Rafizi may win his current Pandan parliamentary seat as an independent candidate easily. But those who follow him would most likely get slaughtered against the massive government machinery and money politics. The answer could be a new coalition between Rafizi’s team and Parti Warisan from Sabah to give a new layer of identity to a new Third Force proposition.
But why Parti Warisan? Sabah Chinese voters overwhelmingly preferred Shafie Apdal because he offers competence, courage, and vision to defend Sabah’s dignity. Crucially, during Warisan’s administration (2018–2020) under Shafie’s leadership, the party delivered real results for Chinese constituencies, including increased allocations for SJKCs and independent Chinese schools.
From economic empowerment through SME schemes supporting Chinese entrepreneurs across commerce hubs to cultural respect with support for Chinese temples, clan associations, and cultural activities, the choice was not hard for the Chinese Sabahans. However, Warisan lacks something if it plans to contest in Peninsular – a credible locally rooted leader as its poster boy.
Rafizi could be that missing puzzle to bridge Sabah-based Parti Warisan and Malaya-based Third Force to form a coalition acceptable to Chinese voters in Peninsular Malaysia, who traditionally support DAP but are now increasingly angry with the spineless and cowardly leadership of Anthony Loke Siew Fook. The voice of the Chinese in Peninsular, who wished for a third option like Warisan after the Sabah election, cannot be underestimated.
Even though Warisan failed to form the Sabah state government, it emerged stronger than ever after last year’s Sabah election, having bagged 25 seats, making it the single largest bloc in the state legislature. In fact, Warisan won the popular vote, capturing 288,803 votes compared to the 6-party alliance Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) 286,389.
In the 15th General Election in 2022, the Heritage Party won only three federal seats in Sabah and lost all 26 parliamentary seats it contested in the Peninsular. If the Chinese support for Warisan can be replicated to the Peninsular – this time with a new configuration of Rafizi and his allies – in the 16th General Election, a “new alternative” would give Pakatan Harapan, even Barisan Nasional, a run for their money.
As Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim continues the racist policies of the previous Barisan Nasional ruling government, happily insulting the Hindus and bullying the Chinese, Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s remarks that Malaysia is a country where “everyone will get a place under the sun regardless of their religion and race” would certainly sell like hot cakes in the election campaign.
But Warisan isn’t the only option on the table. Democratic Action Party or DAP, despite being the biggest party in the government with 40 parliamentary seats courtesy of the Chinese community, should seriously consider abandoning the sinking ship under the stewardship of PKR Anwar and go solo under its traditional “Rocket banner” – even sail with Rafizi under a new ship.
Regardless of Rafizi’s political direction, he is specifically targeting PKR president Anwar Ibrahim due to his betrayal. The scariest part is that he isn’t contesting to become prime minister, but to split Pakatan Harapan votes, and there are truckloads of Gen-Z and fence-sitters who would be influenced by his charismatic, intellectual, and, at times, polarising political figure.
Viewed as an inspiring figure with strong communication and social skills, he has built his reputation on a blend of data-driven technocratic capability, bold political manoeuvring, and populist appeal. His supporters – mostly young voters – see him as a “people’s leader” who understands the struggles of the ordinary citizen. And that’s Maverick Rafizi that Anwar fears, so much so that the PM is scheming to assassinate his character.
Ungrateful Anwar, having used Rafizi to help him become the 10th Prime Minister, has turned out to be not only a fake reformist but also a power-hungry traitor who reverted the party election to a delegate-based system to ease a despicable scheme to topple Rafizi as PKR deputy president for the creation of dynastic politics. Worse, the Premier is abusing government resources to cling to power.
From cronies paying thugs to attack and stab Rafizi’s 12-year-old son with a syringe in a car park to weaponising the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to harass and intimidate Rafizi’s former aide James Chai, the despicable prime minister is throwing everything, including the kitchen sink, to tarnish the reputation of Rafizi as a corrupt man like former Prime Minister Najib Razak.
But the MACC under the leadership of Azam Baki, whose reputation and integrity is already contaminated after exposure by Bloomberg of potential corruption and money laundering through share trading, even involvement in corporate mafia by providing “intimidation services” to force companies to take over, has overplayed its hand when the excessive attacks on Rafizi backfire.
Rafizi, known for his ability to launch and mobilise social enterprise platforms such as the previous “Ayuh Malaysia” in just 6 months to boost votes for Pakatan Harapan before the November 2022 General Election, is now more determined to swing critical Malay, Chinese and Indian votes away from PKR, DAP and Amanah. It’s not a coincidence that the maverick has set June 2026 to introduce his new political platform.
Malaysia’s 16th General Election is not due until February 2028, but multiple sources within government and political circles reveal that groundwork is quietly being laid in anticipation of a national election that could be held concurrently with upcoming state polls “in the latter half of this year”. The current Melaka state government’s term ends in December 2026, while the current Johor state government’s term ends in April 2027.
It is possible that Melaka and Johor could hold state elections earlier than expected, around June or July or even the end of the year, and concurrently with general polls. Even though Anwar had earlier dismissed the prospect of snap polls in 2026, the turmoil and instability within the opposition ranks offer potential strategic windows for Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition.
Rafizi’s open criticism of Anwar further puts pressure on the Premier. Despite blowing his trumpet about 5.2% economic growth and ringgit appreciation, a regional survey done by market researcher Milieu Insight revealed that 70% of Malaysian respondents expressed concern about rising cost-of-living pressures – suggesting that people still don’t feel the economic effect.
DAP’s special congress on July 12, where more than 4,000 delegates will vote in an internal referendum on whether party leaders should resign from government posts, would pressure Anwar to call for a snap election. Like it or not, PM Anwar has to call for a concurrent state and general elections by the fourth quarter of 2026 or the first quarter of 2027 – just nice for Rafizi to shift into top gear to create havoc.
The time has come for untrustworthy, corrupt, and expired Stone-Age leaders like Anwar Ibrahim, Najib Razak, Muhyiddin Yassin, Hadi Awang, Zahid Hamidi, and, of course, Mahathir Mohamad to be retired in the museum. They are traitors who betray people’s mandate. Anwar, the people’s last hope, has turned out to be a huge disappointment. – Finance Twitter