Nearly a month has passed since the United States Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump’s tariffs were unconstitutional — the very tariffs that formed the basis of the Malaysia–US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade signed by Anwar Ibrahim last October.

However, the Prime Minister has not addressed this issue.

Malaysians deserve an explanation for the lack of response from Anwar Ibrahim, given that the legal foundation of the agreement he signed is no longer valid. Businesses, exporters, and investors require clarity as the Prime Minister has yet to provide a direct answer.

I commend Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Ghani for his transparency in confirming that the deal is effectively cancelled. This level of clarity should have been provided by the Prime Minister earlier.

Leadership is not about photo opportunities, grand announcements, glory of a free ride in The Beast and a free White House pen. Leadership is about taking responsibility when circumstances change.

Anwar Ibrahim should now act in his capacity as Prime Minister. He must formally notify Donald Trump and the relevant US authorities that Malaysia considers the agreement unlawful and untenable in light of the US Supreme Court's ruling.

Malaysia cannot be bound to a trade deal built on tariffs that the highest court in the United States itself has declared unconstitutional.

The longer the Prime Minister delays, the more it raises the question: what exactly is he afraid to say?

The  warning by Minister Gobind Singh Deo that police inaction in cases involving religion could threaten national stability should be taken seriously by every Malaysian who values peace and harmony in our multi-racial society.

Yet the conduct of the Home Minister, Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, raises serious and disturbing questions about whether the government itself truly believes in the principles it publicly proclaims.

It is deeply alarming that the Home Minister — the very person responsible for overseeing the police and internal security — has reportedly met with a well-known hate preacher who has been the subject of hundreds of police reports over the years for inflammatory and statements that have repeatedly stirred hostility between Malaysia’s religious and ethnic communities. This individual has long built a reputation for spreading divisive rhetoric and provoking tensions among Malaysians of different faiths, and has been emboldened by the recent “endorsement” by Saifuddin.

For years, Malaysians have been told that provocative statements touching on race and religion will be dealt with firmly under the law. Even the Sultan Perak last year reminded authorities and Malaysians on the need to maintain peaceful co-existence. Yet when it comes to certain individuals, the law appears to move at a glacial pace — if at all.

The question Malaysians are entitled to ask is simple: why does someone with such a long record of incitement and hate speech appear to enjoy protection from prosecutionand a Madani Minister?

The Home Minister’s meeting with such a figure sends an extremely troubling message to the public. Instead of demonstrating zero tolerance toward those who sow hatred and division, the government appears willing to grant them legitimacy and access at the highest levels of authority.

These contradictions expose a glaring hypocrisy within the so-called “Madani” government. While Gobind rightly warn about the dangers of religious extremism and inflammatory rhetoric, the Home Minister, Saifuddin NasutionIsmail, appears willing to meet and legitimise a figure widely known for spreading division and hostility among Malaysia’s communities.

In light of this troubling episode, the leadership of the DAP must demand an immediate explanation from the Home Minister. If the government is truly committed to unity and the rule of law, it cannot appear to extend legitimacy or protection to individuals accused of promoting hatred and division.

Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy

President

Malaysian Advancement Party

12.3.2026

The debate surrounding the future of Azam Baki as head of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has dominated public discussion. But Malaysians must confront a far more uncomfortable truth.

The real issue is not Azam Baki. The real issue is Anwar the controller of system that produced him.

Replacing one individual while preserving a flawed structure of appointment is not reform. It is merely the illusion of reform.

Even if Azam Baki leaves tomorrow, the structure that allowed the controversy to arise will remain untouched. His successor will still be appointed through the same process — a process where the Anwar Ibrahim’s PKR despite only having 31 seats and is enthroned the position as PM, advises (which must be accepted) the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on who should lead the nation’s most powerful anti-corruption body.

In practical terms, this means that the leadership of the MACC ultimately depends on the decision of the Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim and he is free to appoint anyone who is willing to take “instructions” from him”.

This arrangement should alarm every fair-minded Malaysian.

An anti-corruption agency cannot genuinely act as a watchdog if its leadership is effectively determined by the political authority it may one day need to investigate. A watchdog chosen by the powerful PM will never bite the hand that appoints it.

For years Malaysians have been promised reformasi, transparency, and accountability. These ideals were supposed to transform the nation’s institutions and place them beyond political manipulation. Yet today the country finds itself confronting the same structural weaknesses that have plagued governance for decades.

Instead of meaningful institutional reform, public discourse is increasingly diverted into narratives of conspiracies and external plots. Claims of shadowy forces attempting to destabilise the government circulate widely, often drawing ridicule across social media. These distractions do nothing to address the real issue confronting the nation — the urgent need to strengthen institutional independence.

At the heart of the problem lies a structural flaw embedded within Malaysia’s constitutional framework. The Constitution grants sweeping appointment powers to the Prime Minister across many key institutions that are supposed to operate independently of political influence.

Perhaps such powers seemed reasonable during the early years of independence. When the Constitution was framed, leaders such as Tunku Abdul Rahman were widely trusted to wield authority responsibly for the benefit of a young nation.

But democracies do not survive on trust alone. They survive on checks, balances, and institutions that are stronger than any individual leader.

Today Malaysia faces a political reality very different from that of the early post-independence era. The Prime Minister wields extensive authority over appointments to critical institutions even though his own party lacks actual parliamentary mandate with only 31 seats in Parliament. Yet from this position flows enormous influence over the leadership of agencies meant to uphold the rule of law.

Such concentration of power invites suspicion, weakens institutional credibility, and fuels public cynicism.

This is why the debate must move beyond personalities. Removing Azam Baki without reforming the system that enabled the controversy will simply ensure that the same cycle repeats itself with another name.

Malaysia does not need cosmetic changes.

Malaysia needs structural reform.

Appointments to key institutions such as the MACC must be subjected to transparent procedures, parliamentary oversight, and genuine safeguards against political interference. The fight against corruption cannot depend on the goodwill of political leaders. It must be anchored in institutions that are independent, credible, and accountable to the people.

Ultimately, this is not merely a question of governance. It is a test of Malaysia’s democratic maturity.

Malaysians must decide whether they will continue tolerating institutions shaped by political power, or whether they will insist on a system where no Prime Minister can control the very agencies meant to hold power accountable. Democracies do not reform themselves — citizens force reform upon them.

Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy

Perbahasan mengenai masa depan Azam Bakisebagai Ketua Pesuruhjaya Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) kinimenjadi topik hangat dalam wacana awam. Namun rakyat Malaysia harus berani berdepandengan satu hakikat yang jauh lebih besar dan tidak selesa.

Masalah sebenar bukan Azam Baki. Masalahsebenar ialah sistem — dan Anwar Ibrahim yang mengawal sistem itu.

Menggantikan seorang individu tetapimengekalkan struktur pelantikan yang cacatbukanlah reformasi. Ia hanyalah sandiwarareformasi.

Walaupun Azam Baki berundur esok, strukturyang membolehkan kontroversi ini berlaku akantetap kekal. Penggantinya akan tetap dilantikmelalui proses yang sama — satu proses di mana Anwar Ibrahim dan Parti Keadilan Rakyat yang hanya mempunyai 31 kerusi Parlimen tetapimenduduki jawatan Perdana Menteri, menasihatiYang di-Pertuan Agong mengenai siapa yang harus mengetuai badan anti-rasuah paling berkuasa di negara ini.

Realitinya amat jelas: kepimpinan SPRM akhirnyabergantung kepada kehendak Perdana Menteri. Perdana Menteri bebas melantik sesiapa sahajayang bersedia menurut “arahan”.

Keadaan ini sepatutnya membimbangkan setiaprakyat Malaysia yang berfikiran waras dan cintakan keadilan.

Sebuah agensi anti-rasuah tidak mungkin benar-benar bertindak sebagai pengawas jikakepimpinannya ditentukan oleh kuasa politikyang suatu hari nanti mungkin perlu disiasatolehnya.

Pengawas yang dilantik oleh kuasa yang diawasi tidak akan menggigit tangan yang melantiknya.

Selama bertahun-tahun rakyat Malaysia dijanjikan reformasi, ketelusan dan akauntabiliti. Kononnya nilai-nilai ini akanmembebaskan institusi negara daripadapengaruh politik. Namun realitinya hari ini, negara masih terperangkap dalam kelemahanstruktur yang sama yang telah menghantuisistem pentadbiran negara selama puluhantahun.

Lebih membimbangkan, daripada melakukanreformasi institusi yang sebenar, perhatianrakyat sering dialihkan kepada pelbagai naratifkonspirasi dan ancaman luar. Dakwaan mengenaikomplot tertentu yang kononnya inginmenjatuhkan kerajaan sering diputar di ruangawam — malah menjadi bahan sindiran rakyat di media sosial.

Namun semua gangguan ini tidak menyentuhpunca sebenar masalah: institusi negara masih belum benar-benar bebas daripadapengaruh kuasa politik.

Punca utama masalah ini terletak pada kecacatanstruktur dalam kerangka Perlembagaan yang memberikan kuasa pelantikan yang sangat luaskepada Perdana Menteri terhadap pelbagaiinstitusi penting yang sepatutnya bebas daripadacampur tangan politik.

Mungkin pada era awal kemerdekaan, kuasasebegini tidak menimbulkan kebimbangan. Ketika Perlembagaan dirangka, pemimpin sepertiTunku Abdul Rahman dipercayai secara meluasuntuk menggunakan kuasa tersebut secarabertanggungjawab demi kepentingan negara yang baru merdeka.

Namun demokrasi tidak boleh bergantungkepada kepercayaan semata-mata.

Demokrasi hanya boleh bertahan dengansemak dan imbang yang kukuh sertainstitusi yang lebih kuat daripada mana-mana individu.

Hari ini Malaysia berhadapan dengan realitipolitik yang sangat berbeza daripada era awalkemerdekaan. Perdana Menteri memegang kuasaluas untuk melantik kepimpinan institusi pentingwalaupun partinya sendiri hanya mempunyai 31 kerusi Parlimen. Namun daripada kedudukan inimengalir pengaruh besar terhadap institusi yang sepatutnya menegakkan kedaulatan undang-undang.

Penumpuan kuasa seperti ini hanya akanmenimbulkan kecurigaan rakyat, melemahkankredibiliti institusi, dan menambahkan sinismeterhadap sistem politik negara.

Sebab itulah perbahasan ini tidak boleh terhentipada persoalan individu.

Menyingkirkan Azam Baki tanpa mereformasisistem yang membolehkan kontroversi iniberlaku hanya akan memastikan kitaran yang sama berulang dengan nama yang berbeza.

Malaysia tidak memerlukan perubahan kosmetik.

Malaysia memerlukan reformasi struktur.

Pelantikan ke institusi penting seperti SPRM mesti melalui proses yang telus, tertaklukkepada pengawasan Parlimen, dan dilindungisepenuhnya daripada campur tangan politik.

Perjuangan menentang rasuah tidak bolehbergantung kepada ihsan pemimpin politik.

Ia mesti berpaksikan kepada institusi yang benar-benar bebas, berwibawa dan bertanggungjawab kepada rakyat.

Akhirnya, ini bukan sekadar isu tadbir urus.

Ini adalah ujian terhadap kematangandemokrasi Malaysia.

Rakyat Malaysia perlu menentukan sama adamereka akan terus menerima institusi yang dibentuk oleh kuasa politik, atau menuntut satusistem di mana tiada Perdana Menteri bolehmengawal agensi yang sepatutnya memantaukuasa.

Kerana hakikatnya sangat jelas:

Demokrasi tidak akan mereformasi dirinyasendiri — rakyatlah yang memaksanyaberubah.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s latest claim of a grand “Zionist plot” to overthrow his government is not just unbelievable — it is a political hallucination.

His administration is being rocked by serious allegations of corruption, abuse of power and disturbing claims of a corporate mafia influencing government institutions. Malaysians are now expected to believe that shadowy “Zionist groups”, foreign bankers, international NGOs and media organisations are secretly plotting to topple him.

This is not leadership. This is a diversion.

Instead of directly addressing the growing scandals involving the MACC investigations and the allegations surrounding corporate interests within his administration, Anwar appears to be highlighting the idea of an external enemy. By referencing Zionists supposedly conspiring with Malaysians to overthrow his government, he may be seeking to draw attention from the issues confronting his administration.

This political tactic is painfully familiar. It mirrors the playbook of U.S. President Donald Trump, who repeatedly resorted to dramatic conspiracy narratives whenever scandals threatened his presidency. When the Epstein scandal began casting a shadow over his involvement in sexual allegations, Trump started a war with Iran — a classic strategy to dominate headlines and bury domestic controversy.

Anwar now appears to have mastered the same art of political distraction from Trump. A few weeks ago, he riled up a group of vigilantes on the issue of Hindu temples and falsely termed these temples “haram”, spooking the Malays. His rhetoric and unnecessary angry speeches riled up the Malay Muslim community so much so that a new group of vigilantes who appear to have taken the law into their own hands have arisen. Then he also warns the Malays against me, insinuating that I have questioned the constitution, and accused the police of murdering Hindus in custody.

Malaysians must realise Anwar will resort to everything, including creating a racial clash among Malaysians, to survive politically.

When corruption allegations surface, blame foreign conspirators.

When institutions are questioned, they invoke national security.

When public confidence wavers, frighten the rakyat with imaginary external enemies.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                       The real danger here is not some imaginary Zionist plot. The real danger is a government that may be using national security rhetoric as a shield to deflect scrutiny from serious governance failures and allegations of corruption.

Malaysia deserves a Prime Minister who confronts problems honestly, not one who conjures foreign conspiracies and creates racial/religious tension whenever his government is under pressure.

If Anwar Ibrahim believes Malaysians will abandon their concerns about corruption and abuse of power simply because he shouts “Zionist plot,” “illegal temples,” then he has gravely underestimated the intelligence of the Malaysian people.

Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy
7.3.2026