Anwar pledges RM1 million per constituency as Pakatan Harapan seeks to rebuild support

PUTRAJAYA, 17 AUGUST 2026 —

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional RM1 million for each of Malaysia’s 222 parliamentary constituencies, including opposition-held wards, in a direct response to recent electoral setbacks suffered by his Pakatan Harapan coalition.

“Today, I would like to announce that for each parliamentary constituency, I will top up an additional RM1 million,” Anwar told delegates. He did not specify how the funds would be channelled, whether through MPs, government agencies or other channels.

Anwar hit back at accusations of unfairness in funding allocations. “If there is positive criticism, I can accept, but the fact is I have never reduced funds for the people,” he said. “They go to Parliament and continue hurling insults. ‘This is a cruel prime minister. He seized all the revenue from Kelantan and gave nothing.’ The reality is that billions of ringgit in additional funding have been provided to address the people’s problems.

This has never been done on such a scale.”

The premier reaffirmed his government’s focus on needs-based policies despite objections from segments of the Malay-Muslim majority. He argued that poverty and wealth distribution should not be framed solely along racial lines. “Why should we separate the issue of wealth distribution and poverty from that of poor Chinese, Indians, Dayaks, Dusun and Kadazans?” he asked. “We must have the courage to move forward and do what benefits the poor.”

Other party leaders highlighted internal debates over cooperation with Barisan Nasional, a key partner in the federal unity government. Anwar said dealings with BN must be guided by national interest rather than personal grievances. “Even if some of them do not think that way, we must. We have to be more rational. There must be wisdom and good judgment,” he said.

He defended his working relationship with BN president and Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. “If you ask me, Anwar, what is your choice? I choose stability. I choose prosperity for the people through economic growth. And I choose to continue cooperating with BN and UMNO at the federal level so that these principles can be upheld,” he said.

Party leaders aired frustrations over BN’s conduct during recent state polls. Selangor PKR delegate Danish Hairudin criticised UMNO, a BN component, for what he described as betrayal despite being allies in the unity government. “We accepted them as partners because the country needed stability, but political friendship must have limits and dignity,” he said. “We cannot shake hands in Putrajaya while, on the political battlefield, the same hand stabs us in the back.”

PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari, who is also Selangor chief minister, emphasised the party’s commitment to fair economic distribution and governance with integrity. “We are fair to all Malays, Chinese, Indians, Christians, Buddhists and Hindus,” he said.

Anwar also outlined plans to reform state agencies and enterprises, including a new bill to regulate them and enforce stricter corporate governance standards. He addressed concerns about the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, which activists say suppresses academic freedom. “I will not allow any regulation or law that specifically restricts university students,” he said.

The congress marked a leadership transition, with Anwar’s daughter, PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah, taking a leave of absence to pursue further studies. Vice-president Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will assume her duties, while Amirudin will continue as PH’s election director. Anwar also announced that Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, a former UMNO member who joined PKR in May 2025, will be given a “full mandate” to coordinate with the party secretariat.

Nurul Izzah, in her closing speech, called for the repeal of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 and urged the translation of economic growth into tangible opportunities for employment, SMEs and marginalised groups. “PKR must continue its struggle for reform within the party and in the government,” she said.

The congress reflects PKR’s efforts to rebuild support amid electoral setbacks. In the three most recent state elections—in Sabah, Johor and Negeri Sembilan—PKR won just four of the 49 seats it contested. BN and PN have shown increasing cooperation under a so-called Malay unity pact, securing control of Negeri Sembilan in August and Johor in July.

For Malaysian business readers, Anwar’s pledge of RM1 million per constituency signals a renewed focus on grassroots development and fiscal redistribution, potentially influencing contract flows to local MPs and agencies. The push for needs-based policies may also reshape how companies in infrastructure, education and social services bid for federal projects.

Related: Putrajaya