Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Anwar says the cost of living is his top priority

Malaysia’s new Prime Minister Anwar says the cost of living is his top priority

Malaysia’s newly appointed PM Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday that the cost of living would be his top priority as he takes office amid a slowing economy and a country deeply divided following a close election.

Anwar, who was appointed by Malaysia’s king on Thursday after a contentious election, stated that the economy would be his top priority and that his cabinet would be smaller than that of previous administrations. After reporting to work in the prime minister’s office, he said at a news conference, “My priority now is addressing the cost of living.”

Anwar has yet to name any cabinet members to his coalition government. He had previously stated that his cabinet would include two deputy prime ministers, one from the former ruling alliance Barisan and the other from smaller political blocs in Malaysia Borneo.