Anwar Ibrahim

Prosecutors decided not to revive the 47 charges against Zahid Hamidi, two years after the DNAA, citing insufficient evidence.

State of the evidence

Documented

Person targeted by the proceedings

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

Najib Razak's new pardon application divided the coalition: Pakatan Harapan called for corruption sentences to be served in full, while UMNO pointed out that Anwar himself had benefited from a royal pardon.

State of the evidence

Documented

The Anwar government strengthened digital monitoring tools, particularly through the Cyber Security Act and a licensing regime for major platforms, while continuing to use sedition and communications laws.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

According to police, more than 18,000 people demonstrated against Anwar in Kuala Lumpur, denouncing the cost of living, taxes, subsidy changes and the slow pace of reforms.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The 2025 protests included allegations of judicial interference, fuelled by the discontinuation of cases against allies and delays in appointments of senior judges.

Attribution

Directly implicated

Human Rights Watch documented raids, bans and official statements targeting LGBT people under Anwar's government, despite his international reformist image.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

The proposed privatisation of Malaysia Airports included GIP, then in the process of being acquired by BlackRock, prompting criticism in Malaysia because of BlackRock's alleged links with Israel.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Under Anwar's government, prosecutors provisionally discontinued 47 corruption charges against Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, an ally essential to the government's parliamentary majority. The episode triggered a credibility crisis concerning anti-corruption commitments.

State of the evidence

Documented

Person targeted by the proceedings

Ahmad Zahid Hamidi

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist not prosecuted

The government continued to use vague sedition and communications laws against opponents and internet users despite Anwar's reform commitments.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

A former aide accused Anwar; police arrested him and a new sodomy prosecution was brought. Human Rights Watch highlighted inconsistencies and strong similarities with the 1998 proceedings.

Attribution

Accused

Anwar was sentenced to six years in prison for corruption/abuse of power. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty described the trial as seriously violating fair trial standards and forming part of a political campaign.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Accused

Following his conflict with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad over corruption, nepotism and management of the Asian crisis, Anwar was dismissed as deputy prime minister and finance minister, then became the leader of the Reformasi movement.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Following his arrest, Anwar appeared in court with significant facial bruising. The police chief at the time was subsequently found guilty of assaulting him in custody.

Attribution

Protagonist is the victim

Role of the person profiled

Protagonist is the victim