Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended his administration’s reform agenda, saying several major changes have already been implemented while others require more time before they can be fully realised.
Anwar, who is also PKR president, said the formation of the Unity Government following the 2022 General Election required Pakatan Harapan (PH), as the lead coalition, to negotiate and work with its political partners to advance the reform agenda.
He said those who continue to call for change should acknowledge reforms that have already been carried out instead of overlooking the progress achieved over the past three years.
“I hope friends who demand change will continue to do so. But accept the fact that changes have already been made. We can list how many. What is the courage of Madani reforms? For 60 years previously, things that should have been done were not done,” he said.
Anwar said this while delivering his presidential policy speech at the 2026 Keadilan National Congress at the Melaka International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITC) today. Unity Government leaders, including Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Nor and Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, were also present.
Among the reforms he cited were amendments to the Audit Act 1957, the establishment of the Parliamentary Service Act, the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023, the Special Task Force for Agency Reform (STAR), as well as the Consumer Credit Act and Gig Workers Act.
Anwar said Malaysia had undergone hundreds of changes since independence, but expecting every reform to be completed within a short period was unrealistic.
He also acknowledged that not every measure introduced by his administration should be defended unconditionally, while stressing that criticism and calls for further reforms should not erase the progress already made.
The Prime Minister said he had remained consistent in pursuing the reform agenda championed by PH since returning to government in 2022. However, he stressed that meaningful institutional changes needed to be introduced progressively and allowed time to take root.
He said the approach was not an excuse to delay reforms, but a recognition that major changes involved complex processes and required careful implementation.
Anwar also reminded his party colleagues against being overly hasty, saying the government had to learn from experience and ensure reforms were implemented in a sustainable manner rather than attempting to change everything simultaneously.
