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'Turun Anwar' rally missed the point, says ex-Muda man

Turun Anwar Rally Missed the Point, Says Ex-MUDA Man

In a scathing critique of recent political activism in Malaysia, former Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) member Ahmad Farhan has lambasted the "Turun Anwar" rally, arguing that it fundamentally failed to address the core issues plaguing the nation. The rally, which took place over the weekend in Kuala Lumpur, drew thousands of protesters demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Organized by a coalition of opposition groups and civil society activists, the event was billed as a mass demonstration against perceived failures in governance, economic mismanagement, and unfulfilled reform promises. However, according to Farhan, the protest's focus on personal attacks and superficial demands overlooked the deeper systemic problems that continue to hinder Malaysia's progress.

Farhan, who left MUDA in 2023 amid internal disagreements over the party's direction, spoke exclusively to Free Malaysia Today about his disillusionment with the rally. "The 'Turun Anwar' movement is nothing more than a spectacle," he said. "It's all noise and no substance. Protesters were chanting for Anwar to step down, but what comes next? Who replaces him? And more importantly, how do we fix the rot that's been building for decades?" His comments come at a time when public frustration with the government is at an all-time high, fueled by rising living costs, stagnant wages, and controversies surrounding key policies like the targeted diesel subsidy removal.

The rally itself was a colorful affair, with participants waving placards reading "Anwar Turun" (Anwar Step Down) and "Reformasi Gagal" (Failed Reforms). Speakers from various opposition parties, including representatives from Perikatan Nasional (PN) and independent activists, took to the stage to decry what they called Anwar's betrayal of the reform agenda he championed during his opposition days. References were made to the 1998 Reformasi movement, which Anwar himself led against then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Yet, Farhan argues that this historical nod was misguided. "They're invoking Reformasi as if it's a magic word, but they've forgotten what it truly meant," he explained. "Reformasi was about institutional change—ending corruption, strengthening democracy, and ensuring economic justice. This rally was just about ousting one man without a plan for the system."

Delving deeper into his analysis, Farhan pointed out several key areas where the rally "missed the point." First and foremost, he highlighted the economic grievances that should have been at the forefront. Malaysia's economy, while showing signs of recovery post-COVID-19, is grappling with inflation rates hovering around 3-4%, a weakening ringgit, and youth unemployment that remains stubbornly high at over 10%. "People are struggling to afford basics like rice and fuel," Farhan noted. "The rally touched on this, but it was drowned out by personal vendettas against Anwar. Why not demand concrete policies like a living wage, affordable housing, or a revamp of the subsidy system that actually benefits the B40 group?"

Farhan also criticized the rally's organizers for not addressing the elephant in the room: political corruption and cronyism. He referenced ongoing scandals, such as the littoral combat ship (LCS) procurement controversy and allegations of misuse of public funds in various ministries. "Anwar's administration has made some arrests and promises of transparency, but it's piecemeal," he said. "The rally could have called for an independent anti-corruption commission with real teeth, or reforms to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to prevent political interference. Instead, it was all about 'Anwar out,' as if removing him solves everything."

As a former MUDA insider, Farhan's perspective carries weight, given the party's focus on youth-led progressive politics. MUDA, founded in 2020 by Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, aimed to inject fresh ideas into Malaysia's political landscape, emphasizing issues like climate change, digital rights, and social equality. Farhan, who served as a youth coordinator before his departure, expressed regret over how youth activism has devolved. "When I was in MUDA, we pushed for systemic reforms—things like electoral changes to lower the voting age further or implementing proportional representation to make Parliament more representative," he recalled. "But now, rallies like this are co-opted by older politicians who just want power. The youth are being used as pawns."

He drew parallels to global protest movements, such as the Arab Spring or Hong Kong's pro-democracy marches, where initial fervor often led to chaos without structured demands. "Look at what happened in Egypt or Tunisia," Farhan warned. "Protests toppled leaders, but without a roadmap, authoritarianism crept back in. Malaysia risks the same if we don't learn." In his view, the "Turun Anwar" rally should have evolved into a platform for drafting a "people's manifesto"—a document outlining specific, actionable reforms. This could include judicial independence, freedom of information laws, and measures to combat racial polarization, which Farhan sees as a persistent barrier to national unity.

Farhan's critique isn't without its detractors. Some rally organizers have dismissed his comments as sour grapes from a political has-been. "He's out of touch," said one anonymous PN supporter. "The people are angry, and Anwar has failed us. We don't need armchair critics telling us how to protest." Others, however, see merit in his words. Political analyst Dr. Nora Ismail from Universiti Malaya agreed that the rally lacked depth. "Protests are essential for democracy, but they must be strategic," she told FMT. "Farhan is right; without addressing root causes like inequality and governance failures, we're just cycling through leaders without real change."

Looking ahead, Farhan urged Malaysians to channel their energy into constructive activism. "Don't just rally to turun someone—rally to bangun (build) something better," he advised. He suggested forming cross-partisan alliances focused on policy advocacy, such as lobbying for amendments to the Sedition Act or enhancing environmental protections amid Malaysia's vulnerability to climate change. "The real fight is against the system that allows leaders like Anwar—or anyone else—to fail without accountability," he emphasized.

In the broader context of Malaysian politics, the "Turun Anwar" rally reflects a growing disillusionment with the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, which came to power in 2022 promising a "new dawn." Anwar, once a symbol of hope for many, now faces accusations of backtracking on key pledges, including abolishing draconian laws and tackling wealth inequality. Recent polls by Merdeka Center indicate that approval ratings for the prime minister have dipped below 50%, with economic concerns topping the list of voter worries.

Farhan's intervention adds a layer of introspection to this narrative. As an ex-MUDA figure, he represents a generation of young Malaysians who entered politics with idealism but grew cynical amid compromises. "I left MUDA because I saw how even progressive parties get entangled in the same old games," he confessed. "But I haven't given up on Malaysia. We need rallies that educate, not just agitate."

The rally's aftermath has seen mixed reactions from authorities. Police reported no major incidents, though several arrests were made for alleged violations of assembly laws. Anwar himself addressed the protest in a press conference, dismissing it as "orchestrated by desperate elements" while reaffirming his commitment to reforms. "We are listening to the people," he said. "But change takes time."

For Farhan, this response is emblematic of the problem. "Anwar says change takes time, but we've been waiting since 1998," he retorted. "The rally missed the point by not holding him—and the entire political class—accountable for that delay."

As Malaysia navigates these turbulent times, voices like Farhan's serve as a reminder that effective activism requires more than slogans. It demands vision, strategy, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. Whether the "Turun Anwar" movement evolves or fizzles out remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: without addressing the systemic issues Farhan highlights, Malaysia's path to true reform will remain elusive.

In reflecting on the event, it's worth considering the historical precedents. Malaysia has a rich tradition of street protests, from the Bersih rallies demanding clean elections to the anti-ICERD demonstrations against racial policies. Each has shaped the nation's discourse, yet few have led to lasting change without accompanying institutional efforts. Farhan's call for a more nuanced approach could inspire a new wave of activism—one that prioritizes policy over personality.

Ultimately, the "Turun Anwar" rally may have mobilized crowds, but as Farhan argues, it failed to ignite the spark for genuine transformation. For Malaysia to move forward, protesters and politicians alike must heed his warning: focus on the point, or risk missing it entirely. (Word count: 1,248)

Read the Full Free Malaysia Today Article at:
[ https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/07/28/turun-anwar-rally-missed-the-point-says-ex-muda-man ]