A viable path towards Reformasi

charge on consumption raking in RM25 billion more per annum than the sales and services tax that succeeded it in 2018.

WHITHER POLITICAL REFORMS?

Restructuring the economy and government finances is just one half of how Mr Anwar will be judged. His "Reformasi" agenda, birthed after he was shockingly sacked in 1998, has seen him repeatedly stress the need for reforms to end abuses of power concentrated in the hands of a ruling cabal.

Yet the past two years have seen growing doubt over his socio-political reform agenda, as moves towards equal allocations for opposition MPs stalled, web traffic rerouting and social media censorship raised concerns over freedom of speech and questions over citizenship rights ballooned regarding a constitutional amendment, that critics say will leave thousands stateless, scheduled to be debated and voted on in Parliament on Oct 17.

Activists have also questioned how reforms such as separating the offices of the prime minister and finance minister and abolishing draconian laws like the Sedition Act were firmly part of Opposition Leader Anwar's agenda but not Prime Minister Anwar's.