Anwar Ibrahim

Rule Changes

Ordered procurement freeze and reforms

Malaysia's defence procurement system has produced scandal after scandal—the Scorpene submarines, the littoral combat ships, now a suspected cartel controlling army tenders. On January 17, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim froze all military and police procurement for anyone under investigation—a step no predecessor had taken. He also ordered a comprehensive review of the government's weapons and equipment purchases.

Updated May 21

Force in Play

Leading ASEAN mediation efforts as rotating chair

A Cambodian soldier died in a border firefight on May 28, and within two months, the countries were exchanging artillery fire and airstrikes across a dozen locations. Three ceasefires—brokered by Malaysia, pressured by Trump, and witnessed by ASEAN—have left over 100 dead and a million displaced, yet the December 27 truce may fail like the others.

Updated May 16

Force in Play

Regional mediator and co‑sponsor of the 2025 ceasefire framework

In 2025, a long-simmering territorial dispute along the 817 km Thailand–Cambodia border reignited after a May 28 clash near Preah Vihear killed a Cambodian soldier. The incident sparked a five-day July war—at least 48 dead, about 300,000 displaced—that ended when Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim brokered a ceasefire.

Updated May 10