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Bloomberg

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is looking to push back national elections until the second half of next year, people familiar with the matter said, as state poll defeats and soured partnerships reveal his political vulnerability.
That time frame would mark a significant delay. Just months ago, the 79-year-old leader was said to be mulling a snap election as soon as this October, perceiving his greatest risk at the time to be rising fuel prices.
But two humbling state election losses since then, along with the growing risk of a split with a key coalition partner, have delayed that schedule until after the 2028 budget release – possibly around next October, according to the people, who asked not to be identified detailing private strategy deliberations.
Another consideration is the expected boost to public sentiment when Malaysia hosts the Southeast Asian Games in September 2027, said one of the people.
No final decision had been made on the timing of the next general election, the people said. Anwar’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

The premier told parliament last month that his government should complete a full term to safeguard political stability and economic growth. “So, let us work. We have a mandate,” he said. “When the election comes, then we can battle it out. I have no issue with that.”
Anwar also faces the prospect that the two largest Malay-Muslim parties – his national governing partner, United Malays National Organisation, and the opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) – may join forces. After successfully cooperating in two recent state elections, they are exploring a tie-up again in the next state poll in Malacca, which is expected in the coming months.
Sentiment was building within the political establishment that Anwar was heading towards an inevitable defeat in the next general election, the people said, adding that the potential election delay was an attempt to change that outcome.
The current term of the parliament ends on December 18, 2027, and elections must be held within 60 days after that.
Election timing will partly depend on whether Umno and PAS can forge an alliance nationally. Top leaders in Umno, which leads the Barisan Nasional coalition, have said they support Anwar’s government although party members were pushing for a tie-up with the Islamist party for the sake of national unity.
Anwar and his advisers are seeking a compelling political narrative that highlights his stewardship of Malaysia’s economy, which is getting a boost from an inflow of artificial intelligence-related investment and resilient electronics exports. The challenge was that many voters feel the pinch of rising costs, while frustration was growing among his supporters over the slower-than-expected pace of reforms, the people said.
Recent state election losses for Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan coalition have exposed the discontent, as well as the sinking popularity of his own party, the People’s Justice Party. Known as PKR, it won just four of the 49 seats it contested in the state elections in Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan since November.
The Democratic Action Party, the biggest component of the bloc, also lost ground, including in Negeri Sembilan, where Pakatan Harapan was ousted after two terms in power.

PKR and DAP spent decades championing reforms such as an independent anti-corruption agency, repealing laws like the Sedition Act, and requiring asset declarations by politicians and government officials. Yet after nearly four years in power, the lack of progress has contributed to voter frustration.
That discontent was evident at DAP’s congress this month, where delegates voiced growing impatience with Anwar’s reform agenda even as they chose to remain in his government.
Anwar’s party has also been weakened by the departure of prominent figures, including former economy minister Rafizi Ramli, who has since launched Parti Bersama Malaysia. The new party aims to court voters disillusioned by Anwar’s unmet reform promises but uneasy with the conservative, race- and religion-based politics championed by his rivals.


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Malaysia

Anwar Ibrahim weighs delaying Malaysia general election to late 2027 amid poll setbacks

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the Asean Summit and related meetings, in Cebu, Philippines, in May. Photo: Reuters

Umno politicians give a prayer of thanksgiving after the Negeri Sembilan election results in August, when they won 16 seats. Photo: Facebook

Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi announce their takeover of Bersama in May. Photo: Facebook/Rafizi Ramli

In Malaysia, voter anger fuels a third force against Anwar

Former Malaysian ministers Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at an event announcing their takeover of Bersama in May. Photo: Facebook/Rafizi Ramli

Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Bersama flags line a road in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the 48th Asean Summit in May. Anwar’s ruling coalition has fared poorly in three recent state elections in Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan. Photo: Reuters

Malaysia’s Anwar traded reform for power. Now Umno wants it all

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's ruling Pakatan Harapan coalition has suffered a series of bruising defeats in recent state elections. Photo: EPA-EFE

A flag of the United Malays National Organisation waves outside its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA-EFE

Delegates attend the People’s Justice Party congress at the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh, Melaka, on August 15. Photo: Facebook/KeadilanRakyat

A Democratic Action Party candidate meets supporters while campaigning in Johor state last month. BN won the state election by a landslide. Photo: Facebook/dapjohor.my

A woman crosses a street in front of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur earlier this month. Photo: AP

Nurul Izzah Anwar, the Malaysian prime minister’s eldest child, stepped back from the deputy presidency of his ruling People’s Justice Party this month. Photo: Hadi Azmi

A man fills his motorcycle at a petrol station in Selangor, Malaysia. Cash handouts and fuel subsidies may not be enough to save Anwar’s ruling coalition, insiders warn. Photo: EPA

In Malaysia, DAP’s vote to stay in Anwar’s alliance secures stability – but at what cost?

DAP Secretary General Anthony Loke (centre) answers questions from the media after the vote on Sunday. Photo: Joseph Sipalan

DAP Secretary General Anthony Loke is projected onto the big screen as he chairs a press conference on Sunday. Photo: Joseph Sipalan

Over 2,200 DAP delegates attend the special congress in Putrajaya on Sunday. Photo: Facebook/DAPMalaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar vows to boost anti-corruption drive after state poll defeats

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a forum in Tokyo in June. Photo: EPA

Barisan Nasional leaders cheer at the coalition’s command centre in Johor Bahru as unofficial results show BN leading in the state election in Malaysia in July. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof

Rafizi Ramli (centre) speaks at a press conference alongside Wong Chen (left) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad at Bersama’s headquarters in Puchong, Selangor, on Wednesday. Photo: Iman Muttaqin Yusof

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Asia

Southeast Asia

The Malaysian prime minister reconsiders snap election plans as state poll defeats, stalled reforms and rival alliances threaten coalition


The Malaysian prime minister reconsiders snap election plans as state poll defeats, stalled reforms and rival alliances threaten coalition.


Anwar Ibrahim weighs delaying Malaysia general election to late 2027 amid poll setbacks

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The Malaysian prime minister reconsiders snap election plans as state poll defeats, stalled reforms and rival alliances threaten coalition

The Malaysian prime minister reconsiders snap election plans as state poll defeats, stalled reforms and rival alliances threaten coalition