Anwar maintains stability despite resignations, Sabah setbacks and coalition unease
PETALING JAYA: From Cabinet resignations and electoral setbacks to mounting inter-party friction, political developments throughout 2025 have revealed challenges within Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Madani government – even as the unity administration continues to hold.
Despite a year marked by political turbulence, the government remains intact, underpinned by its comfortable numerical majority in Parliament and the continued fragmentation of the Opposition.
Anwar has benefited from the lack of cohesion within Perikatan Nasional (PN), which has struggled to project itself as a credible alternative government.
The coalition’s two largest components – Bersatu and PAS – have been unable to agree on a single prime ministerial candidate, putting forward instead leaders from their respective parties, highlighting internal differences.
However, strains have not been confined to the Opposition. Within Pakatan Harapan (PH), fissures surfaced during PKR elections earlier this year.
The contest culminated in the resignations of two senior Cabinet ministers – Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli (Economy) and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change) – after both failed to defend their respective party posts.
Both stepped down from their ministerial positions in June, citing the need to respect party mandates and uphold political accountability.
Anwar’s decision not to immediately reshuffle the Cabinet following their departures, however, fuelled speculation over leadership calculations and unresolved internal dynamics within PH.
While some observers viewed the delay as a strategic move aimed at maintaining stability amid political uncertainty, others interpreted it as reflecting lingering factional tensions, especially within PKR.
Concerns over the Unity government’s standing were further heightened by the outcome of the 17th Sabah State Election, widely described by analysts as a wake-up call for Anwar’s administration.
PH suffered a significant setback in the state, with DAP – arguably PH’s strongest component – losing all eight seats it contested, while PKR secured just one.
Although PH’s Sabah ally, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) retained control of the state government, ensuring administrative continuity, the results exposed PH’s limited grassroots appeal in East Malaysia and raised questions over the coalition’s electoral strategy beyond Peninsular Malaysia.
At the federal level, unease also simmered within Barisan Nasional (BN), a key pillar of the Unity government.
While Anwar and his deputy, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, continued to project a close working relationship, dissenting voices within Umno grew increasingly audible.
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Salleh and Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi openly criticised several government decisions and coalition arrangements, reflecting unease among sections of the party’s grassroots over Umno’s role within the government.
The discontent intensified following public remarks by a PH leader welcoming the High Court’s decision to deny former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak house arrest.
The reaction triggered a backlash from Umno factions still loyal to Najib, with calls for Umno and BN – which together hold 30 seats in the Dewan Rakyat – to reconsider their support for the Madani government.
Complicating matters further were persistent tensions involving MCA and DAP.
MCA was increasingly perceived as marginalised within BN, amid narratives urging the party either to exit the coalition or realign with PN.
Despite this, MCA remained firm in staying within BN, even as it continued to be excluded from Cabinet representation since the formation of the Unity government.
Within BN, questions over representation and influence were also raised by the MIC.
Throughout the year, MIC leaders publicly expressed dissatisfaction over the party’s continued absence from the Cabinet and, at various points, indicated that the party was prepared to review its position within BN should its concerns remain unaddressed.
Although these statements prompted speculation over a possible withdrawal from the coalition, MIC ultimately reaffirmed its commitment to BN and the Unity government, citing the importance of political stability and coalition cohesion.
