Anwar’s New Challenge Is Finding a Champion for Malaysia’s Economy

  • Finance minister is seen as training ground for future leaders
  • New PM will need to tread carefully to avoid upsetting allies

Anwar Ibrahim

Photographer: Samsul Said/Bloomberg
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Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim promised a unity government to stabilize the country. Now he needs to find a finance minister who can steer the economy and help him hold onto power.

His pick must present a budget next month that can shield Malaysia’s fragile recovery amid concerns of a global slowdown next year. Inflation is elevated and the still-weak currency has made living costs untenable for low and middle-income households.