Malaysians protest rising living costs, demand PM Anwar Ibrahim step down

Rally organised by opposition parties marks the first major protest in Southeast Asia’s sixth largest economy since Anwar’s election in 2022.

Thousands of Malaysians have taken to the streets to protest rising living costs and a perceived lack of reform by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.

Saturday’s rally, organised by opposition parties, marked the first major protest in Southeast Asia’s sixth largest economy since Anwar was propelled to power in elections in 2022.

Protesters gathered at various points in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, before converging on Independence Square, carrying placards saying, “Step down Anwar,” as dozens of police officers kept a close eye.

“He [Anwar] has already governed the country for three years and has yet to fulfil the promises he made,” said Fauzi Mahmud, 35, from Selangor just outside the capital.