KUALA LUMPUR, February 23 – In Malaysia’s ever-evolving political landscape, the question of who could replace Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the nation’s leader and a figure in the Islamic world has sparked heated debate.
An anonymous UMNO veteran openly expressed his view:
“If not him, then who? Hadi Awang? Takiyuddin? Annuar Musa? Shahidan? No one can rival Anwar Ibrahim.”
He emphasized that Dato’ Seri Anwar is now recognized as a global leader, particularly in the Islamic world. In just two years, Anwar has gained international recognition that few other leaders have achieved. His bold stance on Islamic issues, including his open criticism of Israel and firm position on Palestine, has strengthened his reputation as a highly respected Islamic figure.
VIRAL: TAJUDDIN ABDUL RAHMAN AND THE SUCCESSOR DEBATE
A few months ago, former Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman also made headlines when his social media comments on Anwar Ibrahim’s successor went viral. Tajuddin sparked discussions by stating that no political figure could truly replace Anwar as Malaysia’s leader and as a key figure in the Islamic world.
He stressed that Anwar’s leadership had elevated Malaysia’s global standing, especially in championing Muslim rights internationally.
“We can talk about potential successors, but in reality, no one can truly take his place right now,” he remarked.
UMNO AND ITS FUTURE
For UMNO, the main challenge lies in the party’s revival in national politics. The UMNO veteran admitted that the party could no longer form a government on its own.
“Even if we win 50 or 60 seats, we still cannot form a government. That is why cooperation with PKR and the Prime Minister is necessary,” he said.
He further noted that Anwar Ibrahim’s political struggle aligns with UMNO’s principles, and now, UMNO leaders are beginning to accept that supporting Anwar is the best move to strengthen Malay and Islamic political power in Malaysia.
ANWAR AND HIS ISLAMIC STRUGGLE
Since his student days, Anwar has been known as a leader of the Islamic movement through the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM). However, in government administration and international politics, his achievements over the past two years have been extraordinary.
“Mahathir? He was once known as a leader in the Third World economy. But in the Islamic struggle, he never reached Anwar’s level.”
With his firm stance on global issues, Anwar is now a symbol of the Islamic struggle on the world stage. This presents a significant challenge for any leader seeking to replace him. The UMNO veteran emphasized,
“If someone were to say we need a successor for Anwar, who? Even within UMNO, no one is stepping up. Our ministers are intelligent, but who among them can truly rival Anwar Ibrahim?”
CONCLUSION: MALAYSIA’S POLITICAL FUTURE
With UMNO now moving in line with Anwar’s leadership, the UMNO veteran believes the country’s political future is on a clear trajectory. In his view, only a handful of UMNO leaders, such as Dato’ Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, can still play a significant role in the nation’s political arena. However, the true successor to Anwar as a global leader? That remains an unanswered question.
The question now is whether UMNO and other Malay leaders will continue to support Anwar’s leadership or if a new figure will emerge to carry the banner of the Islamic and Malay struggle to even greater heights. For now, the answer remains uncertain.