Anwar Ibrahim facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yang Amat Berhormat Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim SPMK SSPJ SPCM SSAP SPNS DUPN SPDK DGSM DMPN KGCR NPk MP
أنوار إبراهيم‎
Anwar in June 2025
10th Prime Minister of Malaysia
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 November 2022
Monarch	Abdullah (2022–2024) Ibrahim (2024–present)
Deputy	Ahmad Zahid Hamidi Fadillah Yusof
Preceded by	Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Constituency	Tambun
12th and 16th Leader of the Opposition
In office 18 May 2020 – 24 November 2022
Monarch	Abdullah
Prime Minister	Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Preceded by	Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Succeeded by	Hamzah Zainudin
Constituency	Port Dickson
In office 28 August 2008 – 16 March 2015
Monarch	Mizan Zainal Abidin (2008–2011) Abdul Halim (2011–2015)
Prime Minister	Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2008–2009) Najib Razak (2009–2015)
Preceded by	Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Succeeded by	Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Constituency	Permatang Pauh
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 (2022–2025) Nurul Izzah Anwar (since 2025)
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
Constituency	Permatang Pauh
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 Majority 23,560 (2018) 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, Crown Colony of Penang, Malayan Union
Citizenship	Malaysia
Political party	UMNO (1982–1998) KeADILan (1999–2003) PKR (2003–present)
Other political affiliations	Barisan Nasional (1982–1998) Barisan Alternatif (1999–2004) Pakatan Rakyat (2008–2015) Pakatan Harapan (2015–present)
Spouse	Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ​ (m. 1980)​
Children	6 (including Nurul Izzah)
Parents	Ibrahim Abdul Rahman [ms] (father) Che Yan Hussein (mother)
Residences	Seri Perdana (official) SL3, Bandar Sungai Long, Selangor, Malaysia (private)
Education	Bukit Mertajam High School Malay College Kuala Kangsar
Alma mater	University of Malaya (BA) National University of Malaysia (MA)
Occupation	Politician
Signature

Anwar bin Ibrahim (born 10 August 1947) is a Malaysian politician who became the 10th prime minister of Malaysia in 2022. He is the president of the People's Justice Party and the chairman of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) political coalition.

Anwar began his career as a student leader. He later joined the UMNO party and held several important government jobs, including Minister of Finance. In 1993, he became the Deputy Prime Minister.

In 1998, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad removed Anwar from his government posts. This led Anwar to start the Reformasi movement, which called for changes in the government. He faced serious legal troubles and was sent to prison. After his release in 2004, he returned to politics and became the Leader of the Opposition.

Anwar was sent to prison again in 2015. While in prison, he worked with his old rival, Mahathir Mohamad, to form the Pakatan Harapan coalition. This new coalition won the 2018 general election. Anwar was given a royal pardon and released.

After a political crisis in 2020, Anwar became the Leader of the Opposition for a second time. In the 2022 general election, his Pakatan Harapan coalition won the most seats. On 24 November 2022, Anwar was sworn in as Prime Minister, leading a unity government.

Early Life and Education

Anwar bin Ibrahim was born on 10 August 1947, in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. His father, Ibrahim bin Abdul Rahman, was a politician in the UMNO party. His mother, Che Yan binti Hussein, was also active in local politics.

Anwar was a bright student. He attended Bukit Mertajam High School and later the prestigious Malay College Kuala Kangsar (MCKK). At MCKK, he was active in debate and other school activities. He met many future leaders while studying there.

After high school, Anwar went to the University of Malaya, where he earned a degree in Malay Studies. He later earned a Master's degree from the National University of Malaysia while he was in prison in the 1970s.

Early Career and Activism

As a university student, Anwar was a passionate leader. From 1968 to 1971, he was the president of the National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students. He also co-founded the Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM), a Muslim youth group.

In 1974, Anwar was arrested during student protests about poverty in the countryside. He was held for 20 months under the Internal Security Act, a law that allowed for detention without a trial.

Political Career

Joining the Government

In 1982, Anwar joined UMNO, the main political party in Malaysia at the time. He was invited by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Anwar quickly moved up in the government. He served as:

• Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports (1983)
• Minister of Agriculture (1984)
• Minister of Education (1986)
• Minister of Finance (1991)

As Finance Minister, Anwar helped Malaysia's economy grow. He was praised for his work during the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister

In 1993, Anwar became the Deputy Prime Minister. Many people believed he would one day become the next prime minister after Mahathir. However, by the late 1990s, Anwar and Mahathir began to disagree on how to run the country, especially during the financial crisis.

In 1998, Mahathir removed Anwar from all his government positions. Soon after, Anwar was arrested and faced serious legal charges. He was sent to prison in 1999. Many international groups, like Amnesty International, said his trial was unfair and politically motivated.

The Reformasi Movement

After being removed from government, Anwar and his supporters started the Reformasi movement. "Reformasi" means "reform" in Malay. The movement held large protests calling for changes in the government.

This movement led to the creation of a new political party, which later became the People's Justice Party (PKR). Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, became its first president.

Return to Politics

Anwar was released from prison in 2004 after his first conviction was overturned. He was not allowed to run for office for five years. During this time, he taught at universities like Oxford and Georgetown University.

In 2008, Anwar's ban from politics ended. He won a special election in his home district of Permatang Pauh and returned to Parliament. He became the Leader of the Opposition.

Second Period of Legal Troubles

In 2008, Anwar faced new legal accusations. After a long trial, he was found not guilty in 2012. However, the decision was appealed. In 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned the decision and sentenced him to five years in prison. He was sent to prison in February 2015.

This prevented him from running in a local election in Kajang, a move that was planned to make him the leader of Selangor state.

Winning the 2018 Election

Anwar speaking at a rally in 2013.

While in prison, Anwar worked with his former rival, Mahathir Mohamad. They formed a new coalition called Pakatan Harapan (PH) to challenge the government in the 2018 election.

In a surprising victory, Pakatan Harapan won the election. Mahathir became prime minister again, with a plan for Anwar to take over later. On 16 May 2018, Anwar received a full royal pardon from the King and was released from prison. He returned to Parliament after winning a by-election in Port Dickson.

Path to Prime Minister

In February 2020, the Pakatan Harapan government collapsed after some members left the coalition. This event was called the "Sheraton Move." A new government was formed, and Anwar became the Leader of the Opposition for the second time.

In the 2022 general election, no single coalition won enough seats to form a government. After several days of talks, the King of Malaysia appointed Anwar as the 10th Prime Minister on 24 November 2022. He leads a "unity government" made up of several different political coalitions.

Prime Minister (2022–present)

Anwar in 2023

As Prime Minister, Anwar also took on the role of Finance Minister. He appointed two Deputy Prime Ministers, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Fadillah Yusof. This was the first time Malaysia had two deputy prime ministers.

His government has focused on issues like the cost of living and good governance. He has also been active in foreign policy, strengthening relationships with other countries. Anwar has spoken out about international issues, such as calling for peace in the Gaza war.

In 2024, Malaysia joined the BRICS group of emerging economies as a partner country. This move aims to improve economic and trade ties with nations like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.

Personal Life

Anwar is married to Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. They have six children, including their daughter Nurul Izzah Anwar, who is also a politician.

During his time in prison, Anwar read many books, including the works of William Shakespeare. He has said that reading and singing helped him get through the difficult times.

Election results

Images for kids

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  US Secretary of Defense William Cohen (right) meets with Anwar Ibrahim (left) at the Pentagon in 1998.

• 

  Anwar Ibrahim speaks at an election campaign in 2009 as opposition leader.

• 

  Anwar speaking at a rally after the May 2013 election results.

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  On 16 September 2023, people at a rally showed they were unhappy with the government led by Anwar.

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  Anwar Ibrahim at the ASEAN–Australia Special Summit in Melbourne.

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  Anwar Ibrahim with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Eastern Economic Forum in Primorsky Krai, Russia, 4 September 2024.

See also

In Spanish: Anwar Ibrahim para niños

• Reformasi (Malaysia)
• Caucus on Reform and Governance
• Members of the Malaysian Parliament who represented multiple states