Anwar says he’s ready to listen to criticism, but ‘Turun Anwar’ protest only called for his resignation – Mothership.SG

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“Only know how to shout without direction.”

July 29, 2025, 11:01 AM

One day after thousands of protesters took to the streets to call for his resignation, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim took to social media to respond to the rally, suggesting it was not constructive.

Reprimands and criticisms

In a Facebook post on Jul. 27, Anwar thanked protesters for what he called a “peaceful” rally, affirming that dissent is welcomed.

“In arranging steps, reprimands and warnings in the struggle must be celebrated”, he said, adding “I’m always ready to listen to any reprimand and criticism.”

However, he expressed his disappointment that any real issues were drowned out amid calls for his resignation.

“All that can be heard is one: “Take down Anwar””, he wrote on Facebook.

Highlighting the government’s recent subsidisation of RON95 petrol prices to RM1.99 (S$0.60), he said such reforms aimed at improving the lives of citizens “must be carried out in phases to be accepted, understood and lasting”.

“I have never claimed this government was perfect. But we are not arrogant to correct the weakness,” he said, reaffirming the Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) vow to “make changes as much as possible”.

“But we are honest, and as long as there is honesty and a spirit to improve, we will continue to advance beyond those who only know how to shout without direction or offer.”

Resignation will have no impact

The 77-year-old prime minister appears unfazed by the growing dissatisfaction towards his government.

On Jul. 24, he was sanguine about the upcoming protest, claiming that the pressure he faces to resign will have no impact on Malaysia’s political scene as the general elections are not for another two years.

He also responded to former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s criticism of his “incompetent” governance and calls for resignation, saying he “didn’t steal anyone’s money”.

At the end of the rally on Jul. 26, Anwar thanked protesters for voicing their views, emphasising his commitment to democratic principals, namely freedom of speech and expression of criticisms.

“Criticism and difference of opinion should not be seen through the lens of hostility, instead it should continue to sprout and lushly blossom into the pulse of a mature, progressive and sovereign nation,” he said.

No concrete plan

Following Jul. 26, Malaysian politicians have weighed in on the impact of the rally.

Former Minister of Economy and fellow PKR member Rafizi Ramli criticised members of the Opposition, who mainly made up the rallies’ protesters, for demanding a change in the  government without a concrete plan to tackle root problems.

“I do hope they realise that whoever ends up in power will have to deal with this massive challenge,” he said to reporters, according to Malay Mail.

“Rarely do we hear enough discourse on problems that will affect Malaysia in the long term…The public deserves better, we need to hear more about how they plan to tackle it,” he added.

Deputy Chief Minister of Penang Ramasamy Palanisamy, chairman of the opposing United for the Rights of Malaysians Party (URIMAI), took to Facebook to declare the rally a “tremendous success”.

“People flooded the road from Sogo to the Negara Mosque, forming an impressive sea of people,” he said.

“Yesterday’s assembly was just the beginning, not the end to the people’s demand for Anwar to resign from his post as prime minister.”

Turun Anwar

Turun Anwar (Anwar step down), reportedly organised by members of the Opposition, saw tens of thousands of Malaysians protesting Anwar’s governance on Merdeka Square in central KL on Saturday.

A number of Anwar’s biggest political nemeses, including his former allies Mahathir and former MP Azmin Ali, were in attendance, taking turns to present speeches calling for Anwar’s resignation.

The main concerns presented revolved around cost-of living concerns and a lack of reform, in a protest reminiscent of 1998’s Reformasi which Anwar himself had initiated demanding the resignation of then-PM Mahathir.

Top images via Pemuda DUN Kelaboran/Facebook