Year in Review 2023: Yahoo Malaysia's top 5 most searched politicians

MALAYSIA — Amidst the whirlwind of events that defined 2023, a cast of influential political figures emerged, leaving an undeniable mark on the year's unfolding narrative.

These leaders commanded the spotlight from legal battles to surprising twists, losses, and unwavering stands—Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor faced legal charges following alleged seditious remarks made during a political rally. At the same time, Salahuddin Ayub's death deeply saddened the nation, marking the end of a dedicated minister's chapter.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin Yassin's acquittal on corruption charges, though a relief for the former Prime Minister, left lingering questions amidst ongoing legal battles.

Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman's sentencing for misappropriation of funds sent shockwaves, forcing him to step down while he continues to appeal the decision.

In the midst of these events, Anwar Ibrahim's reshuffling of the cabinet, aimed at regaining public trust amid concerns about the economy, added yet another layer to Malaysia's political landscape.

As we delve into our Year in Review, join us in revisiting the lives and impactful actions of these top 5 most-searched-for politicians in Malaysia:

5. Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor

Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, the caretaker Chief Minister of Kedah, made headlines due to legal charges levelled against him following alleged seditious remarks made during a political rally in Selangor on 11 July. These charges, brought against him on 18 July, consist of two counts of sedition under Section 4(1)(a) of the Sedition Act, filed at the Selayang Magistrates Court.

The first charge pertains to alleged seditious comments against Selangor ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, while the second is linked to purportedly seditious statements regarding the formation of a unity government led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Sanusi, aged 49, who also holds the position of Perikatan Nasional's election director, pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty of three years in jail or a fine of 5,000 ringgit if convicted. He was granted bail of RM5,000 for each charge pending further legal proceedings.

4. Salahuddin Ayub

Salahuddin Ayub, Malaysia's Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, died at the age of 61 after undergoing surgery for a brain haemorrhage. His daughter, Fatiha Salahuddin, confirmed his death through a Facebook post, announcing his passing at 9.23pm on 23 July 2023.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged Salahuddin, his long-time colleague, praising his dedication and reliability. Anwar particularly highlighted Salahuddin's management of the Rahmah Sale Programme, which aims to ease living costs for Malaysians.

He commended Salahuddin's commitment and extensive travels across the country to fulfil this initiative. Salahuddin's political journey began in 2004 in Kubang Kerian, leading to victories in the Pulai parliamentary seat and the Simpang Jeram state seat in 2018 under Anwar's coalition.

After successfully defending his seats in both the state election earlier in 2022 and the 15th general election on 19 November of the same year, Salahuddin was appointed to his current ministerial role.

3. Muhyiddin Yassin

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin garnered attention when he was acquitted of four corruption charges by the high court on 15 August, shortly after his opposition bloc made gains in local elections.

Aged 76, Muhyiddin stated that the high court ruled in his favour, overturning charges alleging he abused his power to acquire 232.5 million ringgit in bribes for his party, Bersatu. Despite this acquittal, he still faces three money laundering charges involving 200 million ringgit.

His lawyer, Hisyam Teh Poh Teik, explained that the court sided with the defence, highlighting legal deficiencies and a lack of specific details in the charges, as reported by local media. The defence expressed confidence that the remaining money laundering charges would not hold after the primary charges were dismissed.

The corruption charges involved allegations of favouritism toward specific ethnic Malay contractors in exchange for purported bribes and facilitating a business tycoon's appeal concerning tax exemption cancellations. However, prosecutors announced their intention to appeal the court's decision.

Muhyiddin's case draws parallels to another former Prime Minister, Najib Razak, who faced multiple charges after the 2018 general election. Najib began serving a 12-year prison term last year after losing his final appeal in the first of several graft trials.

2. Syed Saddiq

Another major news in Malaysia centred on the sentencing of Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, the former Youth and Sports Minister. He received a seven-year jail term, two strokes of the cane, and a 10 million ringgit fine for various charges, including misappropriation of funds.

Malaysia's High Court delivered this verdict on 9 November.

At 30 years old, Syed Saddiq faced allegations related to abetting in a criminal breach of trust and money laundering, particularly linked to funds associated with Armada, the youth wing of his former political party, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

Despite maintaining his innocence, Saddiq stepped down as the President of his party, the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), following the court's decision. Nonetheless, he continues to serve as a Member of Parliament and is appealing his case.

In 2018, he made history as Malaysia's youngest minister when appointed by then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

1. Anwar Ibrahim

One of the biggest names of the year is Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, having all eyes on him and the establishment of Malaysia's unity government.

He recently made significant changes to his cabinet, including appointing the head of the country's largest state pension fund as the second finance minister.

This move aimed to rebuild public trust amid concerns about the economy, inflation, and the slow pace of reforms during his tenure. Anwar highlighted the government's key priorities: focusing on the economy, health, and education.

Additionally, Anwar's stance on the Hamas-Israel conflict drew attention during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Week in November. Among global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Anwar strongly criticised the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip caused by continuous Israeli air and ground attacks.

He condemned the evident disregard for moral responsibility, which resulted in extensive destruction and a humanitarian crisis that claimed the lives of over 11,000 Palestinians.

In a lecture titled 'Super Power Rivalry and Rising Tensions in the Asia Pacific' at the University of California, Anwar emphasised the broader global implications of the humanitarian crisis in Palestine. He highlighted these actions as clear violations of international law.

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