How the 1974 Baling Protests Shaped a Future Prime Minister

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the current Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, has navigated a long and storied career in Malaysian politics spanning over five decades .

Early activism and student leadership

Born in 1947 in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Anwar's leadership journey began during his university years . In the early 1970s, he co-founded the Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) and served as the president of the Malaysian Youth Council . His early activism included a 20-month detention under the Internal Security Act in 1974 following student protests regarding rural poverty in Baling, Kedah .

Rise through the government ranks

Anwar entered mainstream politics in 1982 by joining UMNO . Over the following years, he held several key ministerial positions, including Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Minister of Agriculture, and Minister of Education . By 1993, he had ascended to the role of Deputy Prime Minister, a position he held alongside his tenure as Minister of Finance during the 1990s .

Years in opposition and reform

Following his departure from government in 1998, Anwar spent many years as a prominent opposition leader . He led the opposition coalition during two significant periods, from 2008 to 2015 and again from 2020 to 2022 . Throughout these years, he remained a central figure in the country's political landscape, advocating for his reform agenda .

Appointment as Prime Minister

On 24 November 2022, Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia . As of October 2026, he continues to lead the country, balancing his duties as Prime Minister with his role as the Minister of Finance .