As Malaysia slowly moves toward the 16th General Election (GE16), perhaps
one of the most important questions we should begin asking ourselves is this:
Who do we want to lead Malaysia next?
The answer to this question will help us make thoughtful decisions at the
ballot box.
This article is written as neutrally and as fairly as possible, not to
campaign for anyone, nor to attack anyone, but simply to encourage Malaysians
to spend some time thinking seriously about leadership, the future of the
nation, and the type of Prime Minister we may need for the next phase of our
country’s journey.
Too often, politics becomes emotional, tribal, overly partisan, or driven
by social media slogans. Yet leadership at the national level is one of the
most serious matters any country can face. The Prime Minister of Malaysia is
not merely a political symbol. He influences economic direction, national
unity, investor confidence, government stability, race relations, international
standing, public trust, and the long-term confidence of future generations.
This discussion should involve all Malaysians, not only those in
Peninsular Malaysia, but also our fellow Malaysians in Sabah and Sarawak, whose
importance in determining federal leadership is now clearer than ever before.
The purpose of this article is also to encourage reflection on several
deeper questions:
What type of leadership do we need today?
Do we need a reformist? A technocrat? A grassroots leader? A coalition
builder? A stabiliser? A crisis manager? A visionary? Or perhaps someone
capable of quietly rebuilding trust and confidence in the nation?
Most importantly:
Which leader can help Malaysia move not only out of the current political
and economic quagmire, negative identity politics, hypocrisy, and corruption,
but also toward greater heights as a nation?
Below are several possible candidates or personalities who may emerge in
the conversation surrounding the future leadership of Malaysia after GE16.
1. ANWAR IBRAHIM
Anwar Ibrahim remains one of the most recognisable political figures in
Malaysian history. From student activism to becoming Deputy Prime Minister,
opposition icon, prisoner, and eventually Prime Minister, his political journey
has been among the most dramatic in modern Malaysia.
He continues to possess strong international recognition and remains
highly respected among supporters who admire his resilience, communication
abilities, reformist ideals, and decades-long struggle to reach the nation’s
highest office. Supporters also see him as capable of presenting Malaysia as a
moderate and progressive Muslim nation to the world.
However, one of the biggest challenges facing Anwar Ibrahim today is the
perception among large segments of the public, including some of his ardent
supporters, that there exists a growing trust deficit. Fairly or unfairly, many
Malaysians feel disappointed that some reforms and promises associated with the
reformasi movement have either slowed down, not materialised, or in some cases,
been reversed from what they expected.
Critics also argue that his administration has struggled to convince
parts of the public that it has effectively addressed issues such as rising
costs of living, governance concerns, and economic anxieties. Supporters,
however, counter that he inherited a highly fragmented political landscape and
that rebuilding institutions and economic confidence takes time.
Despite criticisms, Anwar Ibrahim remains Pakatan Harapan’s central
political figure and one of the few politicians with nationwide recognition
across races, religions, and social classes. Whether Malaysians continue to
believe he can deliver long-term reform and stability may become one of the
defining questions heading into GE16.
2. HAMZAH ZAINUDIN
Hamzah Zainudin has increasingly emerged as one of the more disciplined
and organised figures within Perikatan Nasional. With decades of experience in
government and several ministerial positions behind him, he is viewed by
supporters as calm, methodical, highly operational, and outcome-driven in his
leadership style.
Unlike politicians who rely heavily on emotional speeches or
personality-driven politics, Hamzah is generally perceived as structured,
focused, and capable of managing people, systems, and organisations
effectively. His performance as Opposition Leader in Parliament further
strengthened the perception that he is prepared, steady, and serious about
governance.
Within Perikatan Nasional, Hamzah is seen as someone capable of working
with multiple groups, including PAS supporters, civil servants, business
communities, and even segments of non-Malay voters. His relatively moderate
communication style and administrative approach may make him more broadly
acceptable than some more polarising figures.
At the same time, observers continue to monitor the internal dynamics
between Hamzah and Muhyiddin Yassin within Bersatu. Questions surrounding
future leadership direction inside the party may eventually influence his
political trajectory.
Nevertheless, in an era where many Malaysians are increasingly searching
for stability, administrative competence, and coalition management, Hamzah
Zainudin remains a political figure worth watching closely.
3. MUHYIDDIN YASSIN
Muhyiddin Yassin remains one of Malaysia’s most experienced political
leaders. Having served as Menteri Besar of Johor, Deputy Prime Minister, and
Prime Minister, Muhyiddin possesses extensive administrative and political
experience.
His strongest political advantage may continue to be his grassroots
appeal, especially among segments of the Malay electorate. Compared to more
elite or urban-centred leaders, Muhyiddin is often viewed as practical,
grounded, and closely connected to ordinary Malaysians.
His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic remains central to how many
supporters evaluate him. Supporters argue that he guided the country through
one of the most difficult crises in modern history under extremely challenging
conditions involving public health, political instability, and economic
disruption.
Within Perikatan Nasional, Muhyiddin continues to be seen as a credible
prime ministerial candidate should the coalition decide to once again position
him as its central leadership figure. His supporters believe his calm style,
experience, and coalition management abilities remain important strengths.
Critics, however, point to political instability during his
administration and question whether Perikatan Nasional may eventually need a
newer generation of leadership to broaden its long-term national appeal.
Nonetheless, Muhyiddin remains a major force in any serious discussion
surrounding GE16 leadership possibilities.
4. DR. AHMAD SAMSURI MOKHTAR
Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has increasingly emerged as one of the more
interesting and potentially important leadership figures within PAS and
Perikatan Nasional.
Professionally trained as an aerospace engineer, Dr. Samsuri is viewed differently
from many traditional PAS leaders. Rather than being associated mainly with an
ulama image, he is generally perceived as a technocrat, administrator, and
governance-oriented leader.
Supporters see him as calm, professional, disciplined, and focused more
on policy execution than political theatrics. His leadership style may allow
him to bridge the gap between PAS’ traditional Islamic leadership base and
younger or more professional segments of Malaysian society.
Importantly, some observers believe Dr. Samsuri may also be among the
more acceptable Perikatan Nasional leaders to non-Malay and non-Muslim
communities due to his softer communication style and technocratic image.
At the same time, questions remain regarding his broader national
exposure and whether he possesses enough nationwide political weight and
coalition management experience for the country’s highest office.
Still, in a political era where professionalism, stability,
administrative competence, and cross-community acceptability are becoming
increasingly important, Dr. Samsuri may become one of the more significant
“dark horse” candidates in future Malaysian politics.
5. AHMAD ZAHID HAMIDI
Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remains one of the most experienced, resilient, and
politically shrewd figures in Malaysian politics. Having risen through UMNO’s
political structure over several decades, Zahid has managed to remain central
within national politics despite major electoral setbacks, internal party
tensions, and rapidly shifting coalition dynamics.
Supporters would argue that Zahid’s greatest strength lies in his
understanding of political negotiation, coalition-building, grassroots
management, and power balancing. Regardless of whether one agrees with him
politically or not, many observers acknowledge his ability to manoeuvre through
highly complicated political situations while keeping UMNO relevant and
influential.
One of the more remarkable aspects of Zahid’s political positioning has
been his ability to navigate cooperation between UMNO, PKR, and DAP within the
current unity government arrangement, despite decades of rivalry and political
competition. In many ways, supporters view him as one of the country’s most
capable political brokers, someone able to balance competing political
interests while ensuring Barisan Nasional remains part of the federal power
structure.
Should UMNO perform more strongly in GE16, Zahid may once again emerge as
a possible prime ministerial contender, particularly if the election results
produce another fragmented Parliament requiring coalition negotiations and
consensus-building. Malaysian politics today is increasingly coalition-driven,
and leadership may depend not only on popularity, but also on the ability to
command parliamentary numbers and maintain political stability.
Critics, however, continue to raise concerns surrounding public
perception, trust issues, and controversies that have affected his political
image over the years. Others question whether younger voters and urban
Malaysians would fully embrace a return to a more traditional UMNO-centred
political leadership model.
Yet politics often rewards resilience, networking, strategic patience,
and coalition management. In that regard, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remains a
significant political figure who should not be underestimated as GE16
approaches.
6. FADILLAH YUSOF
Fadillah Yusof represents another increasingly important possibility in
the future leadership conversation of Malaysia.
Coming from Sarawak and trained as a lawyer, Fadillah is generally
perceived as calm, nonchalant, trustworthy, and highly focused on getting work
done quietly behind the scenes. Unlike politicians known for aggressive
political branding or fiery rhetoric, he is often viewed as steady, dependable,
and consensus-driven. He is also known to be approachable, down-to-earth, and a
people person.
Over the years, he has held several important federal portfolios and now
serves as Deputy Prime Minister. His supporters see him as someone capable of
working across ministries, coalitions, regions, and communities without
attracting unnecessary political tension.
Perhaps more importantly, Fadillah’s rise also reflects the growing
political importance of Sabah and Sarawak in determining federal leadership.
Increasingly, Malaysians are recognising that East Malaysia is no longer merely
a supporting bloc in national politics, but a decisive force capable of shaping
who forms the federal government.
This has naturally led to wider conversations about whether Malaysia may
eventually be ready for a Prime Minister from Borneo after decades of
leadership dominated by Peninsular-based political figures. Many ask, “Why
not?”
Supporters argue that Fadillah’s relatively moderate image, federal
experience, and cross-regional acceptability may position him well for such a
possibility. His experience as Deputy Prime Minister may also have prepared him
for greater federal responsibilities.
Critics may argue that he lacks the dominant national political machinery
traditionally associated with Malaysian prime ministers. Yet Malaysian politics
today is increasingly coalition-based, and future leadership may depend less on
domination and more on acceptability, trust, moderation, and
coalition-building.
As GE16 approaches, Fadillah Yusof may represent not merely another
political candidate, but a reflection of Malaysia’s evolving political
landscape itself.
Closing Thoughts
At the end of the day, this article is not about telling Malaysians who
they should support.
Rather, it is about encouraging all of us to think more deeply about
leadership, nation-building, stability, trust, competence, unity, and the
future direction of Malaysia.
We may disagree on personalities, parties, ideologies, or coalitions.
That is normal in any democracy. However, let us try to disagree respectfully
and maturely.
I would also like to invite readers to share their thoughts and feedback
about these potential candidates. You may support one candidate over another.
You may disagree strongly with some of the observations above. That is
perfectly acceptable.
But let us do so gentlemanly, respectfully, and without unnecessary
insults, hatred, or vulgarity. Let us learn once again how to agree to disagree
as fellow Malaysians.
Perhaps one of the healthiest things we can do as citizens is to spend
time understanding the leadership talent pool available in our country, so that
we may make wiser decisions about the future leadership of Malaysia.
And ultimately, as our constitutional monarchy functions, the final
appointment of the Prime Minister will rest with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who
will appoint the individual whom His Majesty believes commands majority support
in Parliament and is most capable of carrying the responsibility of leading the
nation forward.
We need to provide feedback to His Majesty on what we hope for in our
leaders, especially for the position of Prime Minister.
Most importantly, we must vote wisely. Vote with both our head and heart,
guided by wisdom.
As, Malaysia Boleh, is dependent on Malaysians Boleh.
Peace,
anas Zubedy
Kuala Lumpur
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