Anwar Ibrahim facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim SSAP DGSM DUPN SPNS SPCM SSPJ SPDK DMPN KGCR MP
Anwar in 2023
10th Prime Minister of Malaysia
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 November 2022
Monarch	Abdullah
Deputy	Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Fadillah Yusof
Preceded by	Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Leader of the Opposition
In office 18 May 2020 – 24 November 2022
Monarch	Abdullah
Prime Minister	Muhyiddin Yassin Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Preceded by	Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Succeeded by	Hamzah Zainudin
In office 28 August 2008 – 16 March 2015
Monarch	Mizan Zainal Abidin Abdul Halim
Prime Minister	Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Najib Razak
Preceded by	Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Succeeded by	Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
2nd Chairman of Pakatan Harapan
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 May 2020
President	Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Preceded by	Mahathir Mohamad
2nd President of the People's Justice Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 17 November 2018
Deputy	Azmin Ali (2010–2020) Rafizi Ramli (since 2022)
Preceded by	Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
7th Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia
In office 1 December 1993 – 2 September 1998
Prime Minister	Mahathir Mohamad
Preceded by	Abdul Ghafar Baba
Succeeded by	Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Ministerial portfolios 1983–1984 Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports 1984–1986 Minister of Agriculture 1986–1991 Minister of Education 1991–1998 Minister of Finance 2022–present Minister of Finance
Parliamentary offices Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Tambun Incumbent Assumed office 19 November 2022 Preceded by Ahmad Faizal Azumu Majority 3,736 (2.99%) Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Port Dickson In office 15 October 2018 – 19 November 2022 Preceded by Danyal Balagopal Abdullah Succeeded by Aminuddin Harun Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Permatang Pauh In office 28 August 2008 – 16 March 2015 Preceded by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail Succeeded by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail In office 29 March 1982 – 14 April 1999 Preceded by Zabidi Ali Succeeded by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Personal details
Born	Anwar bin Ibrahim (1947-08-10) 10 August 1947 (age 77) Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malayan Union
Political party	United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) (1982–1998) People's Justice Party (PKR) (since 1999)
Other political affiliations	Barisan Nasional (BN) (1982–1998) Barisan Alternatif (BA) (1999–2004) Pakatan Rakyat (PR) (2008–2015) Pakatan Harapan (PH) (since 2015)
Spouse	Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	6, including Nurul Izzah
Residences	Seri Perdana, Putrajaya (official) SL3, Bandar Sungai Long, Selangor (private)
Education	Malay College Kuala Kangsar
Alma mater	University of Malaya (BA) National University of Malaysia (MA)
Occupation	Politician
Signature

Anwar bin Ibrahim (Jawi: انور بن ابراهيم, IPA: born 10 August 1947) is a Malaysian politician who has served as the tenth Prime Minister of Malaysia since 2022. He served as the 12th and 16th Leader of the Opposition from 2008 to 2015 and again from 2020 to 2022. He has been the chairman of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition since 2020, second President of the People's Justice Party (PKR) since 2018 and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tambun since November 2022. He also served as Deputy Prime Minister and in many other Cabinet positions in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from 1982 to his removal in 1998.

Anwar has advocated for Islamic democracy and has expressed hope that Malaysia be an example of democratic practices in the Muslim world. Outside of politics, Anwar has held positions at various academic institutions.

Early life and education

Anwar bin Ibrahim was born in Cherok Tok Kun, Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaya. His father, Ibrahim bin Abdul Rahman, started his career as a hospital porter, later to join politics as the UMNO Member of Parliament for Seberang Perai Central between 1959 and 1969 and also as the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Health from 1964 to 1969 until his defeat in the 1969 General Election by a candidate from Gerakan. His mother, Che Yan binti Hussein, was a housewife active in UMNO grassroots politics in Penang.

He undertook his secondary education at the Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He was educated at the University of Malaya, where he got a bachelor's degree in Malay Studies, and worked on his Masters in Literature through the National University of Malaysia while in prison from 1974 to 1975.

Political career

Anwar Ibrahim speaking in 2005

Anwar started his political career as President of student union Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM). He was one of the founders and 2nd President of youth organisation Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM). After joining the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), the major party in the long-time ruling BN coalition, Anwar held several cabinet positions in successive governments in the 1980s and 1990s. He was Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister during the 1990s and was prominent in Malaysia's response to the 1997 Asian financial crisis. In 1998, he was removed from all posts by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and went on to spearhead the Reformasi movement against the government. Anwar was convicted of corruption and jailed in April 1999. His conviction was overturned in 2004. He made a comeback as Leader of the Opposition from 2008 to 2015 and coalesced opposition parties into the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition, which unsuccessfully contested in the 2008 and 2013 general elections. He disputed the results of the 2013 elections and led a protest in response.

In 2014, Anwar's attempt to become Selangor head of government in the 2014 Kajang Move led to a nine-month political crisis, which ended when he was sentenced to another five years in prison in 2015. While still in prison, Anwar re-joined Mahathir Mohamad in the new Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition in absentia, which went on to win the 2018 general election. Mahathir outlined a plan for Anwar to take over from himself as Prime Minister after an unspecified interim period. Anwar received a royal pardon from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Muhammad V and was released from prison in May 2018. He returned to parliament in the 2018 Port Dickson by-election while his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail served as the Deputy Prime Minister in the PH administration. The collapse of the coalition during 2020–22 Malaysian political crisis led to the new Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition under Muhyiddin Yassin being sworn in and Anwar becoming Leader of the Opposition for the second time in May 2020.

After leading Pakatan Harapan to win a plurality of seats at the 2022 Malaysian general election, Anwar was sworn in as the tenth Prime Minister of Malaysia on 24 November 2022.

Prime Minister (2022–present)

During Anwar's tenure as prime minister, he advocated for Malaysia to become more Islamic and conservative. He supported that Islamic civilisation be taught at every level. On 11 June 2023, Anwar has told Jakim, the Islamic development department, to provide greater input into government policymaking. However he later refuted claims by certain parties that he tried to apply the Islamic concept excessively in his government when he wanted to expand the role of the Jakim. On 17 June, Anwar's government has approved an RM8.9 million allocation for Islamic religious institutions in Kedah. On 25 August, Anwar said the implementation of the "Imam al-Nawawi's 40 Hadith" appreciation module in public schools was intended for Muslim students in the country to master and truly understand Islam.

Anwar was under fire from many long-time supporters who accused him of not following through on past commitments. When Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was acquitted and released, Anwar accused of placing political power ahead of principles. Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) President Syed Saddiq also announced his party's withdrawal from the government bench, citing unacceptable hypocrisy and abuse of power.

On 11 September 2023, Anwar said the government is set to organise a bumiputera economic congress next year. On 11 October, Anwar said he has extended the olive branch to Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), and is ready to consider making the Islamist party a partner in the unity government.

International affairs

Anwar meeting Australian foreign minister Penny Wong in 2023.

On 28 January 2023, Anwar announced that Malaysia would immediately issue one million copies of the Quran to be distributed worldwide in response to the burning of the holy book in Sweden.

In October 2023, Anwar strongly condemned Israel in the Israel–Hamas war. He called for a ceasefire and for Palestinians to be "treated as human beings". His government's education ministry launched Palestine Solidarity Week in support of Palestine and was criticized after students used mock guns on campus. The U.S. Embassy formally requested the Foreign Ministry to designate Hamas as a terrorist group on two occasions – October 13 and October 30. Additionally, Malaysia's ambassador to Washington was summoned by the State Department on October 18. Anwar reiterated Palestine’s right to defend itself, and said Malaysia will continue its relationship with Hamas irrespective of U.S. pressure.

Personal life

Anwar is an ethnic Malay and a Muslim. He married Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on 26 February 1980. They have five daughters and a son. His eldest daughter, Nurul Izzah Anwar, at the last general election failed to retain her position as the MP for Permatang Pauh.

During his trials and time in prison in the 2000s, Anwar spent time in solitary confinement, and experienced frequent beatings which required him to undertake surgery in Germany upon his release. He once appeared in court with a black eye. Anwar has professed an interest in the works of William Shakespeare, and said that he read a copy of his complete works four and a half times during his imprisonment. He presented a paper to the World Shakespeare Congress in 2006. In prison, he also said he survived by singing songs and reading.

Awards and recognitions

Honours of Malaysia

•  Pahang :
  • Grand Knight of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (SSAP) – Dato' Sri (1990)
•  Malacca :
  • Grand Commander of the Exalted Order of Malacca (DGSM) – Datuk Seri (1991)
•  Penang :
  • Companion of the Order of the Defender of State (DMPN) – Dato' (1991)
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of State (DUPN) – Dato' Seri Utama (1994)
•  Selangor :
  • Knight Grand Companion of the Order of Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (SSSA) – Dato' Seri (1992, revoked on 3 November 2014)
•  Negeri Sembilan :
  • Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Loyalty to Negeri Sembilan (SPNS) – Dato' Seri Utama (1994)
•  Sabah :
  • Grand Commander of the Order of Kinabalu (SPDK) – Datuk Seri Panglima (1994)
•  Perak :
  • Grand Knight of the Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (SPCM) – Dato' Seri (1995)
•  Perlis :
  • Knight Grand Companion of the Order of the Gallant Prince Syed Putra Jamalullail (SSPJ) – Dato' Seri Diraja (1995)

Foreign honours

•  Philippines:
  • Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (KGCR) (1997)

Honorary degrees

•  Indonesia :
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree in Political Education from Universitas Negeri Padang (2018)
•  Philippines :
  • Honorary Ph.D. degree in law from University of the Philippines Diliman (2023)

Writings

Books

• Menangani Perubahan [Managing Changes], 1989.
• Gelombang Kebangkitan Asia [The Asian Renaissance], 1996.
• Keadilan Bagi Orang yang Bersolat [Justice For People Who Pray], 2022.

Prefaces

• Malek Bennabi, Islam in History and Society, 1991.
• Ziauddin Sardar, The Future of Muslim Civilization, 2006.

See also

In Spanish: Anwar Ibrahim para niños