Anwar trolls himself with 'saya ulang' tease ahead of big reveal

Breaking away from his typically sombre social media tone, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim served a cheeky throwback just before midnight - reviving a catchphrase that has long been political fodder for his rivals.

In a short video posted on Facebook, Anwar is seen declaring, “Saya ulang, hari ini dalam pilihanraya kita menang, saya umum…” - before the clip dramatically cuts off and segues into the classic P Ramlee crooner “Tunggu Sekejap” (Wait a moment).

The now iconic “saya ulang” (I repeat) catchphrase dates back to Anwar’s days in the opposition, when he emphatically promised that a Pakatan Harapan victory would lead to immediate petrol price cuts.

That promise has since become a sore point, especially after his Madani government announced plans to rationalise petrol subsidies instead.

Last year, the government removed subsidised diesel at the pump and introduced targeted subsidies in its place.

RON95 subsidy rationalisation hits roadblock

Anwar is scheduled to announce his administration’s “extraordinary tribute” at 10.30am on Wednesday.

Earlier on Tuesday, government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the rollout of the targeted RON95 petrol subsidies has been slightly delayed for a more thorough review.

He said the government is fine-tuning the policy to avoid adverse effects on the public, adding that the prime minister had also stressed during a recent MPs’ retreat that no policy should harm the majority of Malaysians.

In an earlier post, Anwar framed the “extraordinary tribute” as a gesture of gratitude from the Madani government to Malaysians who have stood firm in support of the nation’s reform journey.

“May this announcement bring benefit to the rakyat at large and stand as a reflection of our collective effort to build a fairer, more prosperous future,” he said.

The extraordinary reveal?

Anwar first hinted at the “extraordinary tribute” on July 15, setting off a wave of public speculation.

For days, government ministries and agencies fanned the intrigue with cryptic social media posts bearing the tagline “Bersama Malaysiaku” (“With My Malaysia”), heightening anticipation.

The tribute comes ahead of a major opposition-organised rally in Kuala Lumpur on July 26 calling for Anwar’s resignation.

The announcement has also sparked widespread speculation, with theories ranging from petrol prices to the possible introduction of a four-day workweek.

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