Thousands of Malaysians flooded the streets of Kuala Lumpur on Saturday in a powerful show of public discontent over rising living costs and unmet reform promises, calling for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to step down.

The protest, organized by opposition parties, marked the largest public demonstrationin Malaysia in several years and the first major rally since Anwar assumed office following the 2022 general elections.

Demonstrators gathered at multiple locations across the capital before marching toward Mardeka Square, waving placards with slogans like “Step Down Anwar” and “We Want Real Change.”

Police maintained a heavy presence, closely monitoring the peaceful but determined crowd.

Three years into his premiership, many citizens say Anwar has failed to deliver on his ambitious reform agenda.

“He has been in power for three years and still hasn’t fulfilled the promises he made,” said Fauzi Mahmud, a 35-year-old protester from Selangor. “He travels to many countries, Russia, Europe, to bring in investments, but we haven’t seen the results. The cost of living is still too high.”

Al Jazeera’s Rob McBride, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, noted that the protest reflects a growing sense of disillusionment.

“Protesters clearly believe the prime minister has not delivered on the transparency, anti-corruption, and economic reforms he pledged,” he said. “This is one of the largest protests we’ve seen in Kuala Lumpur in years—and the message is clear: Anwar must go.”

In a bid to ease public frustration ahead of the rally, the government announced a series of populist measures days earlier. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Anwar unveiled: A one-time cash handout of 100 ringgit (approx. $23.70) for all Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, to be distributed starting August 31.

He also announced a reduction in fuel prices, with subsidised RON95 petrol now available at 1.99 ringgit per litre (from 2.05 ringgit), benefiting around 18 million drivers.

While these moves were widely seen as an attempt to placate public anger and weaken protest turnout, analysts say they may only offer temporary relief.

“Handouts and fuel subsidies are short-term fixes,” said a Kuala Lumpur-based political analyst. “What people want is structural reform, job creation, and real wage growth – not just temporary gestures.”

Despite the protests, Anwar retains a degree of public support.

A June survey by the independent Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research found that 55 per cent of voters approve of his performance.

Key reasons for continued support include: Stabilisation of the country’s previously volatile political landscape and Anwar’s active role in elevating Malaysia’s international profile, particularly through its 2025 chairmanship of ASEAN.

Still, the rally signals a growing divide between official optimism and the lived reality of ordinary Malaysians grappling with inflation, stagnant wages, and rising household expenses.

Anwar came to power on a platform of reform – vowing to end corruption, cronyism, and political instability.

Source: Al Jazeera