KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s New Year 2026 address has reaffirmed that the Reform agenda he has championed for decades is not only alive but is now entering an accelerated phase of implementation, said PKR Deputy Secretary-General Sivamalar Genapathy.
In a statement, Sivamalar said Anwar’s speech on Jan 5 was more than a policy outline, describing it as a firm declaration that long-promised institutional reforms are being translated into legislation and governance measures under his leadership.
“Despite persistent criticism from the opposition and even scepticism from some within reformist circles, the Prime Minister has made it clear that Reformasi is not abandoned or diluted, but strategically sequenced for delivery,” she said.
Sivamalar noted that Anwar had previously been accused of compromising Pakatan Harapan’s core ideals, sidelining the 2018 and 2022 manifestos, and prioritising political survival over institutional change perceptions that were reinforced by the challenges of managing a broad-based unity government.
“Those claims were comprehensively rebutted in this address,” she said.
She highlighted Anwar’s confirmation that a Bill to limit the prime minister’s tenure to a maximum of 10 years or two full terms will be tabled in Parliament this year, calling it a landmark reform aimed at preventing excessive concentration of power.
“The extension of this principle to other key positions, including the Chief Secretary to the Government, sends a clear message that leadership renewal and accountability are non-negotiable,” Sivamalar said.
She also described the government’s move to separate the roles of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor expected to be the first Bill tabled in the next parliamentary sitting as a long-overdue reform to address decades-old concerns over conflicts of interest and political interference in prosecutions.
Other initiatives announced, including the Freedom of Information Bill, the Ombudsman Bill, judicial remuneration improvements and public service digitalisation, further demonstrate the government’s commitment to transparency and institutional independence, she added.
Sivamalar said Anwar’s address also underscored that Reformasi is inseparable from the lived realities of the rakyat, citing increased school maintenance allocations for 2026 covering national schools, SJKC, SJKT and religious schools.
She noted that the government will continue the RM150 Early Schooling Assistance for every student, involving a total allocation of RM800 million, alongside RM15 million for the Dapur Siswa Food Bank programme to ease the cost-of-living burden on university students.
Responding to remarks by Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, who claimed that Malaysians are more interested in political realignments such as Muafakat Nasional than in reform initiatives, Sivamalar described the assertion as dismissive of public intelligence.
“To deny the importance of institutional reform by suggesting the rakyat only care about political alignments is not political analysis, it is political escapism,” she said.
Sivamalar added that when parties lack credible reform agendas, policies or solutions, they often retreat into old alliances, recycled slogans and sentiment-based consolidation.
“Muafakat Nasional does not address the cost of living. It does not strengthen judicial independence.
“It does not protect public funds or deliver justice to ordinary Malaysians. What it protects are political elites fearful of accountability,” she said.
Sivamalar stressed that Anwar’s message is now unequivocal.
“The Pakatan Harapan manifesto is not a historical document. It is being translated into law and policy, step by step,” she said, adding that Malaysia is at a critical juncture.
“If these reforms are legislated and implemented effectively, Anwar will not only silence his critics but cement his legacy as the leader who delivered a more transparent, accountable and just Malaysia.” – MalayaDailyToday
