Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar “made himself ‘a bridge’ between different groups of people and ideas… it comes with the risk of being hated by all.”

The one-day visit comes amid a period of stagnation in relations between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

The leader's two-day state visit to Indonesia was shot through with personal and political resonances.

Anwar Ibrahim has secured the support of a healthy majority, but there are no ironclad guarantees over the longer term.

The 28-member cabinet, which included members of four coalitions and an independent MP, was sworn in on Saturday.

Who the newly appointed prime minister chooses could determine the fate of his sprawling unity government.

Tackling rice bowl issues is a prudent first step for Anwar Ibrahim, who confronts a polarized political landscape.

At last week's election, the extraordinary, six-decade-long political journey of Mahathir Mohamad reached its quiet terminus.

Anwar said he would submit his government to a vote of confidence on December 19.

While the November 19 election resulted in a victory for his multi-ethnic Pakatan Harapan bloc, the forces of conservative Malay nationalism have perhaps never been stronger.

In naming the longtime opposition figure, the monarch called for an end to the political turmoil that has seen Malaysia led by three prime ministers since 2018.

Despite its shock defeat in 2018, UMNO's proven brand of ethnic Malay identity politics could play a decisive role in Saturday's election.