PM Anwar reaffirms commitment to institutional reforms

The Hari Keluarga & Rapat Reformis Kebangsaan 2026 at Bukit Beruntung Golf Resort was framed publicly as a reunion of familiar faces from Malaysia’s Reformasi movement. Yet beneath the handshakes and nostalgia, the gathering functioned as something more consequential: a moment of reckoning over the state of Reformasi now that its long-time standard bearer occupies the highest office in the land.

While mainstream coverage focused on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s keynote address, the broader significance of the event lay in the tension between ideals forged in opposition and the realities of governing within a complex unity administration.

Reformasi must be proven in government

Anwar’s central message was unambiguous. Reform, he stressed, must be executed while political power is still held, not invoked wistfully once it has been lost. Drawing from Malaysia’s political experience, he warned against leaders who only discover their reformist fervour after being sidelined, having failed to act decisively when entrusted with authority.

The Prime Minister underscored that institutional change requires political courage during one’s tenure, particularly when addressing entrenched problems such as corruption, abuse of power and systemic weaknesses within governance. These efforts, he acknowledged, often invite resistance from within the system itself, making reform a test of resolve rather than rhetoric.

At the same time, Anwar emphasised the constraints of leading a unity government, where multiple parties bring differing priorities to the table. Navigating these differences, he argued, demands prudence, consultation and deliberation, rather than impulsive decision-making. Nonetheless, he reaffirmed that the MADANI Government remains firmly committed to reforms anchored on integrity, accountability and judicial independence.

Veterans as moral anchors of reform

A notable element of Anwar’s address was his explicit acknowledgement of the Reformasi veterans, the otai-otai reformis, who stood by him through decades of political struggle. Their sacrifices, he noted, were foundational to the movement’s eventual rise to power, and he urged his cabinet colleagues to regard them as moral anchors of the administration.

The presence of senior ministers and Selangor’s Menteri Besar at the event reinforced the symbolic importance of the gathering. Yet symbolism alone was not the sole currency on display. The veterans’ attendance served as a reminder that Reformasi was not born in conference rooms or corridors of power, but in street protests, detentions and personal hardship dating back to 1998.

A ground-level reality check

That reminder was articulated most sharply during a podcast session titled Apa Ada Dengan Reformasi?, which offered a candid counterpoint to the official speeches. Veteran activist Ronnie Liu provided a grounded perspective shaped by nearly three decades of activism, positioning his intervention as a form of protection for the movement rather than an act of defiance.

Liu’s message centred on memory and responsibility. He cautioned the leadership against drifting away from the movement’s roots amid new alliances and the comforts of office. Reformasi’s legitimacy, he argued, was earned through sacrifice, not electoral arithmetic.

Beyond political ideals, Liu highlighted the human cost borne by the veterans. Many are now elderly, facing health challenges or financial insecurity. He called for concrete assistance programmes, arguing that a movement which neglects its frontline contributors risks losing its moral sanctity.

As media attention amplifies the Prime Minister’s reform agenda, the silent presence of the veterans delivers a sharper verdict. Reformists will ultimately be judged not by how often they speak of change, but by what they accomplish while power remains firmly in their hands.