Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar bin Ibrahim

Malaysia state institutions

1947.8.10.–

Malaysian finance minister who pursued IMF-style austerity in the crisis and was dismissed in 1998; prime minister from 2022

Born in Penang and a graduate of the University of Malaya, Anwar led the Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM) and joined the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) in 1982 at Mahathir's invitation. He became finance minister in 1991 and deputy prime minister in 1993. In the 1997 Asian financial crisis he backed the IMF plan and imposed austerity that cut government spending by 18 percent, but he split with Mahathir and was dismissed on 2 September 1998 and expelled from the party the next day. He led the Reformasi movement and was jailed in 1999 on charges of corruption and sodomy. He became prime minister on 24 November 2022.

Also known as: Anwar bin Ibrahim

Activities and affiliations

1982–1998

United Malays National Organisation (UMNO)
Political and party leadership
1991–1998

Malaysia state institutionsMinister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister
Economy, finance and planning
2022–

Malaysia state institutionsPrime MinisterMain
Government and administration

Career Timeline

1982Joined UMNO
1991–1998.09.02Minister of Finance
1993–1998.09.02Deputy Prime Minister
1999.04–2004Imprisoned
2022.11.24Prime Minister

Related historical events

1997.07.02–1998.09.23The Asian financial crisis and South Korea's IMF crisisDeputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of MalaysiaEarly in the crisis he cut government spending and raised interest rates along IMF lines, but split with Mahathir and was dismissed in September 1998, sparking the Reformasi movement.