COMMENT | How much is the cost of staying in political power? Who will suffer the consequences? There are real concerns that deal-making on the part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government is causing unnecessary harm.

Rather than promoting unity, political bargains are tearing at the fabric of society.

First, there were charges withdrawn and discounted for political allies as the Anwar government backtracked on its promise to address corruption. The reason given was political compromises, but the government’s claim to strengthen reforms was compromised instead.

Regressive constitutional amendments

In recent weeks, there have been additional worrying trends. Regressive amendments on citizenship have been proposed, with additional laws to curb political freedoms believed to be in the works in areas of freedom of expression, media regulation, and more...