Russia Alleges Western Nuclear Support for Ukraine, Pipeline Sabotage Plot

 

Russia Alleges Western Nuclear Support for Ukraine, Pipeline Sabotage Plot

 

Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, claimed at the UN Security Council that the United Kingdom and France are considering transferring nuclear weapons capabilities to Ukraine. Nebenzya alleged that Western governments are exploring ways to “circumvent” nonproliferation restrictions to arm Kyiv.

He did not present publicly verifiable evidence during the session. Neither the UK nor France has announced any plan to provide nuclear weapons to Ukraine. Both countries are recognized nuclear-armed states under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while Ukraine relinquished its inherited Soviet nuclear arsenal in the 1990s under the Budapest Memorandum.

Related: Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that Russian security services had uncovered a Ukrainian-linked plot to sabotage gas pipeline infrastructure in the Black Sea. According to Putin, suspects were detained and accused of planning to damage energy facilities connected to Russian export routes.

Russian authorities have not publicly released independent evidence supporting the claim. Ukrainian officials have not confirmed involvement. The allegation comes amid ongoing tensions over energy infrastructure following previous incidents involving pipelines in the Baltic and Black Sea regions since 2022.

Amid regional tensions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the European Union to provide Ukraine with a concrete accession timeline. Zelensky has repeatedly urged accelerated membership negotiations as Ukraine continues its war with Russia.

The European Union granted Ukraine candidate status in 2022. Full membership requires approval from all EU member states and completion of reform benchmarks.

GhostofBasedPatrickHenry:

So while President Trump is engaged in a Narrative War against the EU elites, President Putin is engaged in a kinetic one. And because Putin is winning that war, the EU elites are getting desperate. That is why they are now resorting to acts of terrorism and possibly even a mass causality event a la nuclear attack.

Q did foretell of a “nuclear scare event,” and while this narrative is a little jarring, it is also encouraging in the sense that it is a sign that we are close to the end of this journey.

A nuclear attack would be a last resort for the EU elites, who would lose the moral high ground in their preening sanctimony. But just like with the Iran conflict—where radicalized religious extremists are accusing Iran’s leadership of being radicalized religious extremists—we are witnessing an exercise in projection. They say that Putin is a ruthless tyrant that will destroy Europe to rule over its ashes because that is exactly what they are and what they are willing to do.

We are patiently waiting for President Trump and President Putin to join forces in the narrative.

That is when things will get very exciting.

Rawang temple demolished after committee relocates deities

Rawang temple demolished after committee relocates deities

Hariz Mohd
Published: Feb 25, 2026 10:44 AM
Updated: 5:58 PM



A Hindu temple in Rawang was demolished early this morning, several hours after its committee relocated its deities following an agreement reached with landowner Yayasan Kubra and the authorities.

According to the foundation representatives, the temple committee had removed the deities and other items just before their 14-day agreed deadline expired at midnight.

Yayasan Kubra activist Ariff Omar told Malaysiakini that a group of volunteers later arrived at around 3am and started demolition works under the monitoring of police officers.

“I was informed that there was no provocation whatsoever last night because the temple committee had taken the action to relocate their deities.

“This was despite an earlier press conference held by the temple committee with (activist) Arun Dorasamy, where they refused to vacate the land.

“But alhamdulillah, I think this was the fruit of prayers by many, that the temple committee perhaps had given it much thought and finally decided to relocate.

“This means they have honoured their promise to vacate the land within 14 days, and for that, I thank them for keeping their word,” he said when met at the site this morning.

The temple in Rawang Perdana became a subject of controversy recently after activist Tamim Dahri, who has been at the forefront of campaigning against unauthorised temples, began demolishing it two weeks ago.

Yayasan Kubra activist Ariff Omar

According to the humanitarian NGO, they had sought Tamim’s assistance to clear the illegal structure to make way for the construction of a housing project for poor people on the plot.

The demolition led to a confrontation between Tamim, who carried out the activity with three friends, and several individuals defending the temple.

Police arrested Tamim and his group, but they were later released after the Shah Alam High Court set aside a two-day remand order issued by the Shah Alam Magistrate’s Court earlier on the same day.

Legal action

Yayasan Kubra trustee Ismail Mina urged authorities to take action against Arun for allegedly stirring trouble by meddling in the issue.

According to Ismail, the foundation and the temple had reached an amicable solution during a discussion with the Gombak district police headquarters.

“He (Arun) is the one who was being divisive. We already settled. You can ask the people at the Gombak district police headquarters.

“We already settled things with the temple representative, who was at the district police headquarters.

“But then he came into the picture. You should look into this issue properly, it’s not good that you do this,” Ismail said.

Yayasan Kubra trustee Ismail Mina


He was referring to a press conference held by Arun yesterday, where the temple committee supposedly expressed their refusal to vacate the land.

Ismail said they are also seeking legal advice to take further action against Arun for allegedly painting a negative image of Muslims.

Suspect used semi-automatic firearm in attack on border agency commander, say Kedah police

Suspect used semi-automatic firearm in attack on border agency commander, say Kedah police



Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah speaks to reporters in Bukit Kayu Hitam February 25, 2026. — Bernama pic

Wednesday, 25 Feb 2026 3:29 PM MYT


BUKIT KAYU HITAM, Feb 25 — The suspect who fired at a vehicle driven by the Bukit Kayu Hitam Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) commander SAC Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Nasir in an incident at dawn here today are believed to have used a semi-automatic firearm.

Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said preliminary investigations confirmed that two shots were fired at the victim’s moving vehicle from a distance of about one metre.

“We believe the shooter used a semi-automatic weapon as we found shattered bullet fragments,” he told a press conference here today.

He said the incident was believed to involve two suspects on a motorcycle, dressed in dark clothing and wearing full-face helmets, while the victim was driving alone.

Immediately after the incident, police launched Op Tutup to track down the suspects, including at the country’s border entry point in Durian Burung, Padang Terap.

Adzli said the incident is viewed as a challenge not only to MCBA but to all enforcement agencies in executing their duties.

“I also call on all enforcement personnel to remain vigilant. Safety must be the priority in carrying out duties,” he said.


In the 5.40am incident at the Masjid Muhajirin slip road here, about one kilometre from the Malaysia-Thailand border, a Proton X70 driven by Mohd Nasaruddin was shot at by two men on a motorcycle.

Mohd Nasaruddin, who was on his way to perform Subuh prayers at the mosque, was reported to have escaped unharmed. — Bernama

DAP stands firm on RCI: Gobind says MACC cannot clear itself

DAP stands firm on RCI: Gobind says MACC cannot clear itself

Published: Feb 25, 2026 12:36 PM
Updated: 5:46 PM



DAP has doubled down on its demand for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) in the wake of MACC’s insistence that its alleged involvement in a “corporate mafia” scheme is merely a smear campaign aimed at sullying the commission’s name.

Party chairperson Gobind Singh Deo said the commission is entitled to deny the claims but stressed that “a mere denial on their part alone is insufficient”.

“It is a fundamental principle of justice that no one should be a judge in their own case.

“When the integrity of our premier anti-graft agency is called into question, a self-issued clearance simply does not measure up. On its own, it does little to restore shaken public and investor confidence,” he said in a statement.

Referencing DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke’s stance that the party would press for the RCI at Friday’s cabinet meeting, Gobind (above) reiterated the need for an impartial and transparent inquiry.

Anthony Loke


“The allegations in question are specific. They name individuals, companies, and refer to identifiable cases.

“There is sufficient basis for an inquiry to commence, and the best option would be for an RCI to be formed, as it would be equipped with the necessary statutory powers to conduct a proper and meaningful inquiry into the matter.

“Whether the allegations are true or not, and what is to be done thereafter, is a matter for the RCI to decide,” Gobind added.

Important, adequate steps

Emphasising that it is not an attempt to fault or blame anyone, Gobind, who is also the digital minister, said the RCI is needed to reaffirm that the MACC remains beyond suspicion and free from any allegations affecting its integrity or credibility.

“The allegations have generated significant interest both here and internationally. It is therefore important to ensure that adequate steps are taken to deal with them.

“This is also not about undermining the MACC but rather strengthening it instead, making it clear that all agencies entrusted with powers of investigations and enforcement in this country are always subject to inquiry and the rule of law.

“Our position remains. There must be an inquiry into the allegations by way of an RCI equipped with all those powers necessary to ensure an effective and transparent probe into the matter. This must be done as soon as possible,” he added.

Yesterday, MACC said the allegations cited in a recent Bloomberg report were believed to have stemmed from an anonymous blog with no identifiable owner, author, or accountable source.

“MACC completely rejects these unfounded allegations. The commission views the dissemination of such false accusations with utmost seriousness, particularly when they may undermine public confidence in lawful enforcement actions,” it added.

The commission claimed that the accusations constitute an attempt to discredit investigations and enforcement actions within the corporate sector, especially against parties affected by ongoing legal proceedings.

“MACC also considers this to be a baseless recycled issue that has been deliberately revived to tarnish the image and reputation of the commission,” it added.

Bloomberg exposé

On Feb 12, Bloomberg reported that MACC, including senior officials, allegedly colluded with certain business figures to oust rivals and orchestrate corporate takeovers.

The report detailed a tactic in which a select group of businesspersons would target a company, then file MACC complaints against it.

MACC would then investigate the company’s founders, exerting pressure that enabled the complainants to gain control of the firm.

Eyewitnesses, including insiders from MACC, claimed that some businesspeople or their representatives were even present at the agency’s offices when their competitors were brought in for questioning.

Following the report, MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Najib can be PM for one more year under proposed term-limit law

Najib can be PM for one more year under proposed term-limit law

Zikri Kamarulzaman
Published: Feb 25, 2026 7:00 AM
Updated: 1:12 PM



Putrajaya’s proposed prime minister term limit opens up the possibility that Najib Abdul Razak could be prime minister again, albeit for a brief period.

Under the proposed constitutional amendment tabled on Monday, which the government wants to impose retroactively, a prime minister can serve for a maximum of 10 years, continuously or otherwise.

This 10-year period does not include the time that a person serves as a caretaker prime minister after Parliament is dissolved.

Najib, who was sworn in on April 3, 2009, was the prime minister for eight years, 11 months, and one day when adjusted to exclude his stints as caretaker premier.

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This means that if elected back to Parliament in the future as part of a ruling coalition, Najib could be prime minister for another one year and 29 days.

Najib is in prison for the SRC International case and has been sentenced to another 15 years in jail for the 1MDB corruption case.

Ex-convicts are barred from contesting in elections for five years from the day their sentence ends, meaning the possibility of Najib, 72, returning to Perdana Putra is a distant prospect.

However, Umno is campaigning for the former premier to be granted a full pardon, which may fast-track his return to active politics.

Chances for other ex-PMs

Besides Najib, other former premiers who would still be eligible to serve as prime minister if the term limits are enacted include Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin


Muhyiddin was the prime minister for 533 days and would thus be eligible to serve another eight years, six months, and 15 days.

Ismail Sabri, who served for 415 days, would still have just over eight years and 11 months on the clock.

Both politicians’ stars are waning.

Muhyiddin had resigned as Perikatan Nasional chief last December amid threats of unrest from PAS, and is facing turmoil amid a schism in his party Bersatu.

Bera MP Ismail Sabri Yaakob


Ismail Sabri - though still an MP - is in the political wilderness after BN’s electoral performance fared worse under his leadership.

As for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, he has served for just over three years and three months today, meaning he would have another seven years and nine months to serve.

***

It's all an Anwar devious plot to deny Toonsie his third go at the PM post. 😂😂😂

Selective enforcement fuelling religious tensions

Selective enforcement fuelling religious tensions

R Nadeswaran
Published: Feb 25, 2026 8:01 AM
Updated: 11:20 AM



COMMENT | Can a raging fire be doused with a garden hose? And what chance is there when unseen hands control the flow?

I write this as a citizen more than a journalist, having “long held my horses” when commenting on race and religious issues, because in Malaysia, “offending the sensitivities of Muslims” has no boundaries.

What many will see as fair comment can and will be used to intimidate or silence critics of the system, which obviously is in dire need of reform and improvement.

From air wells resembling crosses, to the sale of beer in convenience stores in Muslim-majority areas, to the attire of flight attendants and athletes - almost anything can be branded “sensitive”.

Not by any decree of the government or religious authority, but by some self-appointed politicians and unknown men of the cloth who claim to speak for the flock, perhaps for their two minutes of fame on national television.

The lesson was clear decades ago: in 1978, nine men stood trial in the Klang Sessions Court for killing five people who had smashed idols in a Hindu temple in Kerling, Selangor. That memory lingers, and today I fear history may repeat itself.

Housing project in Langkawi, 2015


The current blaze, if left unchecked, threatens to consume the nation while those in power look away, unwilling to confront the anger of a marauding mob emboldened by each passing day.

However, over the years, I have addressed issues, including a commentary on unwarranted religious overreach, which undermines the government itself.

Ambiguity fanning the flames of vigilantism

Even Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s carefully crafted speeches - eloquent but sometimes evasive, perhaps for political expediency - have done little to cool the flames.

On the contrary, he has left some of them open to misinterpretation. For example, activist Tamim Dahri, who was arrested after demolishing a temple in Rawang, Selangor, claimed that the structure was cleared following Anwar’s call to “clean up” places of worship that were erected in violation of the law.

But this action did not go unanswered. On social media, there was a direct but crude response: “Anyone step into another temple to demolish. We have no choice but to defend! Police to uphold law and order.”

Partially demolished temple in Rawang, Selangor, February 2026


Although Anwar’s directive was to the local government authorities, the sense of vigilantism seemed to have reared its ugly head.

When will this acrimony, anger, and religious might end? Enough advice, admonishments, and warnings have already been dished out. What we need is action. But will the law be applied and enforced fairly and uniformly?

The time for platitudes has passed. Fires do not extinguish themselves, and mobs do not retreat without firm boundaries. If laws exist, they must be applied fairly, without fear or favour, and without selective enforcement that emboldens one group while silencing another.

Malaysia cannot continue to walk this dangerous tightrope where race and religion are weaponised for political gain. Each time leaders hesitate, each time enforcement is uneven, the flames grow stronger, and the mob grows bolder.

The velvet-glove treatment of some and iron-fisted punishment of others has created a climate of impunity in which opportunists thrive, and ordinary citizens lose faith in the system.

Rule of law or selective enforcement

Anwar has spoken of freedom of expression and the rule of law, but words alone are no longer enough.

The government must demonstrate that justice is blind, that no one is above the law, and that threats to peace will be met with decisive, consistent action. Otherwise, the promise of reform risks being consumed by the very fire it seeks to control.

Poster for a rally against illegal houses of worship


The fight has now shifted to the volatile arena of social media, where boundaries vanish and laws, written or unwritten, seem absent.

Legally, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 criminalises the improper use of network facilities or services, including creating or sharing content that is obscene, indecent, false, menacing, or offensive with the intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass.

It carries penalties of fines up to RM50,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. But who is afraid of the law when it is not applied or enforced fairly?

We have seen velvet-glove treatment accorded to some, while others are met with iron-fisted action. This double standard has only fueled the rise and tempo of threats, insults, intimidation, and provocation - spreading unchecked, and exploited by opportunists eager to fan the fire.



R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who tries to live up to the ethos of civil rights leader John Lewis: “When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something.” Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com

Suspect used semi-automatic firearm in attack on border agency commander, say Kedah police

Suspect used semi-automatic firearm in attack on border agency commander, say Kedah police



Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah speaks to reporters in Bukit Kayu Hitam February 25, 2026. — Bernama pic

Wednesday, 25 Feb 2026 3:29 PM MYT


BUKIT KAYU HITAM, Feb 25 — The suspect who fired at a vehicle driven by the Bukit Kayu Hitam Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) commander SAC Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Nasir in an incident at dawn here today are believed to have used a semi-automatic firearm.

Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said preliminary investigations confirmed that two shots were fired at the victim’s moving vehicle from a distance of about one metre.

“We believe the shooter used a semi-automatic weapon as we found shattered bullet fragments,” he told a press conference here today.

He said the incident was believed to involve two suspects on a motorcycle, dressed in dark clothing and wearing full-face helmets, while the victim was driving alone.


Immediately after the incident, police launched Op Tutup to track down the suspects, including at the country’s border entry point in Durian Burung, Padang Terap.

Adzli said the incident is viewed as a challenge not only to MCBA but to all enforcement agencies in executing their duties.

“I also call on all enforcement personnel to remain vigilant. Safety must be the priority in carrying out duties,” he said.


In the 5.40am incident at the Masjid Muhajirin slip road here, about one kilometre from the Malaysia-Thailand border, a Proton X70 driven by Mohd Nasaruddin was shot at by two men on a motorcycle.

Mohd Nasaruddin, who was on his way to perform Subuh prayers at the mosque, was reported to have escaped unharmed. — Bernama

Border agency commander's car shot at near M'sia-Thai border

Border agency commander's car shot at near M'sia-Thai border

Published: Feb 25, 2026 11:13 AM
Updated: 3:49 PM



The vehicle carrying the commander of the Malaysia Control and Border Protection Agency (MCBA) in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Nasaruddin Nasir, was fired upon at dawn near the Malaysian-Thai border today.

Kedah Police chief Adzli Abu Shah said the commander escaped unharmed in the attack, which occurred at about 5.40am, roughly 1km from the frontier.

He said the commander was on his way to perform Subuh prayers at Masjid Al Muhajirin when two men in black on a motorcycle, both wearing full-face helmets, approached his car.

“One of the suspects fired two shots, hitting the rear right door and the front passenger door of the car. Fortunately, the victim was not injured,” he told a press conference today.

Adzli said that immediately after the shooting, the victim, who was driving alone, attempted to pursue the suspects for about 1km before they fled into a nearby industrial area.

Kedah Police chief Adzli Abu Shah


“He then drove his privately owned Proton X70 to the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex police station here to lodge a report,” he said.

Adzli said police are investigating from all angles and have not ruled out the possibility that criminal syndicates operating along the border may have acted out of retaliation after the Bukit Kayu Hitam MCBA recorded numerous successful seizures this year, including 100 tonnes of rice and pork.

Police have also detained many smugglers and migrants based in the area, he said, adding that the victim was responsible for assignments at the ICQS Complex.

The case is being investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for discharging a firearm with intent to cause death or injury, despite no injuries being reported, he added.

- Bernama

Student detained over image of Quran being stepped on

Student detained over image of Quran being stepped on


Published: Feb 25, 2026 1:54 PM
Updated: 4:56 PM



A university student has been arrested for posting on social media a picture of the Quran being stepped on.

His action courted flak from government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil, who urged the police and MCMC to take action.

Fahmi, who is also the communications minister, described it as an insolent act that threatened racial harmony.

Earlier, the student had apologised for the post.

“I would like to sincerely apologise for the picture I uploaded. My action was wrong, disrespectful, and highly inappropriate. There is no excuse to justify my behaviour,” he said on Threads.

He explained that he had posted the image because he was overwhelmed with anger.

“I admit that I acted in anger. At that time, I was not in a calm or rational state of mind. I allowed my emotions to take control, which led me to do something I deeply regret now,” he added.

Cops to apply for remand

Meanwhile, Pahang police chief Yahaya Othman said a Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) student was arrested in Kuantan this morning.

The individual was also accused of uploading pictures and comments insulting Prophet Muhammad.

He is being investigated under the Penal Code for insulting another religion and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities.

“We will apply for a remand order against the student today,” Yahaya said.

***

Bloke better NOT be Type 'C' - he's dead if he is

Road rage violence case - Justice at last!

‘I feel unsafe’: Shah Alam High Court jails viral road-rager, overturns RM5,500 fine after victim’s emotional statement



Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin sentenced trader Saiful Adli Yusof to four months’ imprisonment, effective today, on two charges of causing hurt and making death threats against Liew Khoon Foo in a road rage incident along Jalan Cheras-Hulu Langat.

Wednesday, 25 Feb 2026 3:38 PM MYT


SHAH ALAM, Feb 25 — The High Court here has sentenced a trader to four months’ imprisonment, effective today, on two charges of causing hurt and making death threats against an elderly man in a recent road rage incident along Jalan Cheras-Hulu Langat.

Judge Datuk Aslam Zainuddin delivered the ruling, setting aside the Kajang Magistrate’s Court’s February 10 decision, which had fined 52-year-old Saiful Adli Yusof RM5,500.


Aslam said the High Court, under Section 323 of the Criminal Procedure Code, recalled the case, overturned the lower court’s decision, and imposed a custodial sentence in its place.

During the proceedings, the 70-year-old victim, Liew Khoon Foo, read his impact statement in Mandarin, describing severe trauma.


He said he feared leaving home or driving and had sustained serious injuries, including six stitches to his tongue, making eating difficult.


“I fear he may hold a grudge and come after me again. I feel unsafe because he is extremely violent, and I appeal for an appropriate sentence,” he said.

Saiful Adli’s lawyer, Muhammad Syakir Haznal, submitted that his client did not immediately lunge to assault the victim. Instead, he first knocked on the car door, and a discussion took place between the two men.


Meanwhile, Saiful Adli, speaking from the dock, admitted he lost his judgment after his multi-purpose vehicle was struck by the victim, causing his three-day-old child to slip from his wife’s arms and fall.

“I had honked, but he fled, ran a red light, and we pursued him for about 500 metres. At the time, I was on my way to find a breast pump,” he said.

Deputy public prosecutor Shahrul Ekhsan Hasim described the respondent’s actions as extremely cruel. Based on a review of viral footage, he noted that the victim was both kicked and punched.

“This country has laws. The respondent’s conduct amounts to reckless road rage and bullying, causing injury and threats. We urge the court to reassess the sentence to instill a sense of accountability,” he said.

On February 10, the Kajang Magistrate’s Court fined Saiful Adli RM5,500 after he pleaded guilty to two charges of causing hurt and criminal intimidation against an elderly man along Jalan Cheras-Hulu Langat on February 8.

Magistrate Fatin Dayana Jalil imposed the fine and ordered him to serve eight months’ imprisonment in default of payment.

He was accused of intentionally injuring Liew by punching and kicking him in the face and body at Jalan Cheras-Hulu Langat, Batu 9, Cheras, at 4.05pm on the day of the incident.

The charge was brought under Section 323 of the Penal Code, which carries up to one year’s imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction.

The father of four was also charged under Section 506 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation at the same time and location, an offence punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both. — Bernama

Six years after Sheraton Move, is Anwar safe?

Six years after Sheraton Move, is Anwar safe?

Wong Chin Huat
Published: Feb 24, 2026 7:00 PM
Updated: Feb 25, 2026 12:04 AM



COMMENT | Six years ago today, the first non-Umno government collapsed after Bersatu pulled out from Pakatan Harapan and 11 PKR MPs quit PKR. Dr Mahathir Mohamad tactically resigned but failed to come back to power again.

Exactly three years and three months ago, Anwar Ibrahim started his premiership and has surpassed his three immediate predecessors, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Muhyiddin and Mahathir in duration.

Given the prime minister's 10-year tenure limit that he is introducing and expected to be passed, Anwar would not last longer than 10 years (interregnum excluded). This would practically block the return of Najib Abdul Razak, who had served nine years and one month.

Holding a parliamentary super-majority of 153 seats (69 percent), Anwar can serve until the end of the 15th Parliament, Dec 18, 2027, if he does not seek early dissolution. There is no imminent risk of midterm collapse for Anwar, as Mahathir inflicted on himself.

To surpass Abdul Razak Hussein, Hussein Onn, and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in duration, he would have to win the GE16. Harapan must win a clear plurality over other blocs, not just for the whole of Malaysia, but in Peninsular Malaysia too, where it won 75 seats in 2022.

To be safe, Harapan needs to win over 70 peninsula seats. Can Anwar do it? This column examines several factors.

Opposition disarray

On the surface, some would say it is a no-brainer. Under the Madani government, Malaysia is now enjoying both economic growth and political stability. In contrast, Bersatu is split, with now 11 out of its 31 MPs ousted from the party, and Perikatan Nasional is in decline and might be operationally reduced to PAS.

PN is the fifth opposition coalition that sank into decline or demise after losing one or two general elections.

The list started with Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s two-in-one bloc, Gagasan Rakyat-Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah, which folded up in 1995 and 1996, Anwar’s first vehicle Barisan Alternatif, which was effectively dormant by 2004, Anwar’s second vehicle Pakatan Rakyat, which officially ended in 2015, and BN, which was practically reduced to peninsula Umno after 2018.

Beyond the personality factor, opposition coalitions disintegrated or declined because once the prospect of winning or returning to power is lost, the incentives for component parties to stick together gradually disappear.

The diminishing electoral prospect can even be personal when opposition lawmakers are denied constituency allocation to help needy constituents.

Built over six decades by Umno, Malaysia’s winner-takes-all and patronage-heavy political structure systematically depletes the losers to ensure a dominant party.

Ethnic tensions

However, dominance does not ensure stability. What do you do if you are an opposition party with no chance to win power? You focus on winning seats by electrifying your communal/regional vote bank, who are more responsive to identity issues than policy matters.

In its heydays, BN - Umno and its non-Malay allies - were simultaneously accused of selling out the Malay-Muslims (by PAS) and marginalising the minorities (by DAP).

In the 22 months after GE14, Umno and PAS formed Muafakat Nasional and attacked Harapan on ethnicity, religion and language, riding the anti-Icerd wave and later benefitting from Harapan’s mismanagement of the Jawi issue, which alienated both the Malays and non-Malays.

Hence, it would be naïve to think the GE16 would be a walk in the park for Harapan and its allies. If the opposition is convinced that they have no chance to win votes and seats beyond their hardcore supporters, then the most rational strategy is to make GE16 a negative competition with smears and hatred, making it hard for a centrist government to play its balancing act.

The goals are simple: (a) getting the non-Malays and liberals to think they are being taken for granted by Anwar (so that they might abstain), (b) getting more Malays to feel threatened or just irritated by DAP or non-Malays (so that they might vote PN or abstain), and (c) getting middle ground voters to get frustrated or disillusioned (so that they too might abstain).

And what better issues than Hindu temples and pig farms? Expect these two to continue hogging news headlines, unless Anwar seriously finds solutions to “de-weaponise” them.

Corruption and reform

For voters who see beyond or are less affected by ethno-religious tension, the trust deficit is now centred on MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki and the separation of the attorney-general and public prosecutor.

The cabinet’s decision to form a committee headed by Attorney-General Dusuki Mokhtar, who was personally involved in the withdrawal of charges against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, to investigate only Azam’s shareholding in public listed companies but not allegations of MACC’s collusion in economic extortion, suggests extremely poor political judgment or worse, extreme political arrogance.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki

If the allegations are true, this is not just about Anwar using a tainted man to pursue corrupt politicians and generals; it is about allowing the MACC top brass to turn the anti-graft agency into an extortion racket, akin to allowing police to control the underworld.

With Azam linked to Anwar’s former aide and widely perceived money man Farhash Wafa Salvador Rizal Mubarak, and to the GRS Sabah state government, a for-show-only investigation is pushing reform-minded voters and decent businesspeople to the corner.

Voting for Anwar in GE16 would be incredibly difficult for them because “the evil” would not be visibly “lesser”.

Azam’s scandal is structural, not personal. He is a powerful unelected officer appointed by and answerable only to the prime minister. As long as he is a “court favourite”, he can act with little restraint. And as long as he does the prime minister’s bidding, he can stay powerful.

This incentivises a structurally symbiotic relationship between the prime minister and the MACC chief commissioner and the resulting institutional decadence.

Another powerful yet unaccountable high office is the attorney-general, whose power is constitutionally enshrined under Article 145. This is why Malaysians demand the separation of AG and PP, and this is why the Constitutional Amendment Bill on Article 145 horrifies reform advocates and experts.

The AG-PP separation, if passed in the current format, would not create an independent and Parliament-accountable office of public prosecutor. It would only create a new unelected office whose officer bearer has the potential to be another monster who preys on citizens and businesses, hounds the enemies of his/her political master, or both.

Instead of an appointment with parliamentary input and exclusion of executive influence, the public prosecutor would be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers.

The chronic problem with the attorney-general is not resolved but repackaged with even more complications.

First, the new composition of JLSC includes the attorney-general (as long as s/he is not an MP), who represents the executive interest in the appointment of the public prosecutor, who, in turn, gets to influence the appointment of lower court judges and high court registrars.

Second, the appointment by the king might be construed as discretionary, which then risks exposing the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to suspicion, distrust, and attacks that any prime minister faces for holding the power to effectively appoint the attorney-general.

This is politicising and undermining the constitutional monarchy as a key pillar of Malaysia’s parliamentary democracy.

A simpler and better option would be splitting the JLSC into two separate commissions for the judicial and prosecutorial services and granting Parliament a filtering role in the PP nomination and an ongoing scrutinising role in prosecutorial conduct, as civil society groups and experts suggest.

Ditch Umno’s majoritarian playbook

Notwithstanding significant reform initiatives, including the prime minister's 10-year tenure and the AG-PP separation, Anwar appears to have been employing much of the old playbook in Umno’s statecraft, from discriminating against opposition parliamentarians to covertly maintaining executive control even in the separated office of the public prosecutor.

Umno’s old playbook embodies majoritarianism and power concentration, which have both led to corruption and Umno’s ouster on one hand, and fuelled Malays’ communal anxiety on the other hand.

If Anwar wants to win his second term, he must ditch the old playbook and deliver true reforms that can better stabilise Malaysia’s politics. If that playbook had worked for Mahathir for the first time for 22 years, it did not last him beyond 22 months for the second time. Malaysia has moved on.

Anwar has been bold enough to introduce the 10-year tenure limit, something which Mahathir would never do; he must now move further from Mahathir’s shadow.

He shoul immediately put Azam on leave, appoint Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat to lead a truly independent panel to investigate all allegations against Azam and refer the constitutional bill on AG-PP separation to a Parliamentary Select Committee for refinements.

That’s how he may reclaim the reformasi brand and not let it become Rafizi Ramli’s.

WONG CHIN HUAT is a political scientist at Sunway University and a member of Project Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek Sama).