Anwar Ibrahim to announce shock retirement from politics?

Sad news for Ibrahim fans. Speculation had been rife that the Malaysian Prime Minister will announce his retirement from politics, at age 79, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 30/08/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a politician isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a politician just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouAnwar

For a little while on Saturday evening, #ThankYouAnwar was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouAnwar.”
— @DesireePlum, 29 Aug 2026

“I thought Anwar Ibrahim retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 29 Aug 2026

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