‘Stop creating problems’ for Anwar, key ally urges Malaysia politicians as unity government instability concerns mount

“There are many external problems that can affect us,” he said during an interview at his office in Kuching city. “We must be able to look at ourselves and how we can strengthen our own competitive advantage,” he said, adding that “leaders cannot concentrate” if domestic politicians keep creating instability.

Moody’s Investors Service echoed Abang Johari’s concerns about the economic impact of the political turmoil. In a January 16 report, Moody’s said, “Entrenched concerns around the stability of the unity government risks fomenting negative investor perceptions of Malaysia’s political risks and policy gridlock, hampering the country’s longer term economic competitiveness.”

The tumult has weighed on Malaysia’s currency, with the ringgit the worst performing currency since the start of 2023 among emerging markets in Asia. It hasn’t reversed that slide in 2024, falling 2.9 per cent against the dollar this month.

Support for Anwar also tumbled to 50 per cent late last year from 68 per cent in December 2022. About 43 per cent of respondents said they were dissatisfied with the economy, up from 19 per cent soon after he took power.

But with Anwar staving off his political opponents for now, the partnership Abang Johari has established with the federal government has been a boon for Sarawak and its population of about 2.8 million. The state premier said he’s pressing ahead with plans for Sarawak to own its own bank, port and airline, while providing free tertiary education for locals.

Sarawak is the only state in Malaysia with a majority non-Muslim population.

In the interview, Abang Johari said he’s happy with how Anwar has dealt with Sarawak, having facilitated the transfer of Bintulu port, northeast of Kuching, to the state and