Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has drawn on lessons from history as Malaysians ready for the new year, in his speech that was delivered during a function at Masjid Putra, Putrajaya, held in lieu of the cancelled customary annual concert and countdown.

Having just passed his first month in office, Anwar reflected on changes introduced under his administration so far, including weeding out corrupt practices from within a “small segment” of the civil service.

“There are...