Global leader or global tourist? The Prime Minister’s world tours that change nothing By Ghafar Mohamad

Murray Hunter : DATUK Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s constant travel around the world, claiming to support the Palestinian cause and backing Hamas, raises doubts about the real impact of his actions.

Despite attending high-profile events like the Arab Muslim Summit in Riyadh, APEC Summit in Peru, and the G20 Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; his presence has largely been ignored, with no real support for his views from the global community. These trips seem more like an attempt to create an image of leadership glory, rather than actually making a difference.

His participation in these events often feels like he’s just filling a seat, without any meaningful influence on the discussions. For all the attention he gets in the media, he’s seen more as a token figure than a serious player on the world stage. At home, the Prime Minister is praised by a local media that presents him as a hero, but this image doesn’t match the reality of Malaysia’s struggles.

While he portrays himself as an advocate for Palestine and a global leader, Malaysia is facing serious issues. The country is burdened with RM1 trillion in debt, struggling with corruption, rising living costs, and stagnant wages. These issues create a sharp contrast between his international image and the everyday struggles of the people he leads.

His claims to have secured billions in investments during his trips abroad have not turned into any real results, leaving many to question whether these promises are nothing more than empty boasts. His focus on international matters like Palestine — while important — doesn’t seem to resonate with those who matter most, namely the Arab and Muslim nations.

His diplomatic visits often result in nothing more than polite exchanges with no real commitment to his cause. The truth is, no major Arab or Muslim country seems to care much about his stance, suggesting that his international role is more about gaining domestic political legitimacy, than building meaningful global alliances.

The Prime Minister’s rhetoric of global leadership and support for Palestine also rings hollow when compared to the challenges Malaysia faces at home. Instead of focusing on fixing the country’s pressing issues—such as corruption, debt, and economic stagnation—he spends more time trying to project an image of international importance.

His promises of investment during his diplomatic trips have so far failed to produce any real change for the country. These trips also seem less about benefiting Malaysia and more about boosting his own image abroad. The gap between the Prime Minister’s self-image as a global leader and the harsh reality of Malaysia’s economic and political troubles is glaring.

His focus on international issues has not translated into solutions for the problems Malaysians face daily. Instead of addressing the country’s pressing needs, he seems more interested in projecting a heroic image on the global stage. Until he shifts his attention back to the serious issues at home, his diplomatic travels will remain little more than empty gestures, doing little to help Malaysia’s struggles.

*GHAFAR MOHAMAD – Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Malay Professionals Organisation also known as Pertubuhan Profesional Melayu & Pewaris Bangsa (ProWaris)