DAP decides on 16th August whether to remain or leave the Unity Government.
For years, Anwar Ibrahim asked Malaysians to believe that when Pakatan Harapan finally reached Putrajaya, the country would witness institutional reform, accountability, good governance and an end to the political culture they had condemned for decades.
Expectations of PH were high because they were built upon almost 20 years of promises made to the rakyat.
If DAP ultimately decides to leave because meaningful reforms cannot be delivered, it should not simply surrender its ministerial positions and walk away. After more than three years at the very heart of government, DAP owes the rakyat a full and honest explanation of what happened to Anwar’s reform agenda.
Which reforms did DAP push for?
Which were rejected, delayed, watered down or abandoned?
What stood in their way?
Were reforms frustrated by political resistance, competing interests or other parties within the Unity Government?
And if compromises had to be made to preserve the stability of the Unity Government, DAP should explain what those compromises were and why they became necessary.
This is not about blaming DAP for the failure of Reformasi. It is about asking DAP, as a major party that has been in government and in the Cabinet, to tell Malaysians the truth.
There is an even bigger question that cannot be avoided.
Anwar Ibrahim built his political struggle around Reformasi. For more than two decades, Malaysians marched, sacrificed, voted and stood with him because they believed that if he ever became Prime Minister, the reforms he championed would finally become reality.
And what has become of the promised Reformasi beyond Anwar repeatedly shouting “sakau”? Where is the real institutional change:
a. Azam Baki remained and had his term extended on 2 occasions at the helm of the MACC.
b. Bloggers, social media commentators, student activists and human rights defenders continue to face investigations, questioning and enforcement action for what they say online. In contrast, Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act continues to cast a chilling effect over freedom of expression. Once condemned when PH was in opposition, it cannot suddenly become acceptable simply because PH is now in power.
c. Independence of the judiciary which is the last bastion of justice has not escaped serious questions under this government.Anwar's elevation of his former Attorney-General, Ahmad Terrirudin Salleh, directly to the Federal Court, followed by his appointment to the Judicial Appointments Commission despite the presence of more senior Federal Court judges, and allegations that Terriyuddin interfered in the judiciary have fueled legitimate public concern over the transparency and independence of judicial appointments and whether Anwar was inclined to appoint “his men” at the judiciary.
d. The Government Procurement Act 2025, promoted, instead of a major anti-corruption reform, retained extensive powers in Ministers to approve procurements and grant exemptions, leaving billions in public expenditure exposed to political discretion rather than genuinely independent scrutiny, thus raising questions about whether Anwar tacitly promotes “sakau” within the system.
e. The politics of racial fear, religious intolerance and communal division continue to poison our national discourse dangerously, while politicians and extremists repeatedly exploit race and religion for political advantage. Anwar himself has a hand in this race and religious hatred when he failed to handle various issuesdilegently.
f. No serious, practical or sustained effort to formulate and implement long-term socio-economic plans addressing the entrenched disadvantages and unique poverty faced by Malaysia’s minority Indian and Orang Asli communities.
g. Deaths in custody and mysterious shootings of suspects continue to haunt the nation. The Durian Tunggal police shooting where an audio recording indicates those 3 men were shot dead point blank, with one victim heard begging for his life before being shot dead;
h. Justice for Teoh Beng Hock remains unresolved 17 years later with no action against those responsible;
i. Customs tribunal officer was found dead, with neck and legs bound by cable ties at the Finance Ministry building, yet the police classified it as sudden death and ruled out foul play;
j. Pamela Ling disappeared in broad daylight while reportedly on her way to the MACC HQ and remains missing.
k. Where are the reforms that make the MACC, enforcement agencies and GLCs truly accountable to the rakyat?
l. Instead, ordinary Malaysians and businesses are burdened with measures such as e-Invoicing while fundamental questions of public expenditure and accountability remain.
These were not impossible reforms requiring a revolution. Many required only political will, legislation, transparency and the courage to use the enormous power already entrusted to this government.
So, DAP must tell Malaysians whether Reformasi was blocked by others within the Unity Government, compromised to preserve Anwar’s power, or abandoned once power was secured?
Waytha Moorthy Ponnusamy
President
Malaysian Advancement Party
11th August 2026
