In a surprising turn of events, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has landed in the spotlight as he ranks 17th among the 18 richest world leaders, according to a recent report by Yahoo! Finance. With a net worth estimated at US$2.4 million (around RM10.7 million), Anwar's financial status is drawing attention not only for its position but also for the broader implications it carries in the realm of politics.

Anwar's asset declaration, made public in November 2022, reveals significant holdings with cash and investments totaling nearly US$180,000 (RM779,183). The majority of his wealth comes from assets such as a house and three pieces of land, which sum up to an impressive US$2.2 million (RM9.53 million). This transparency is believed to be part of his strategy to pressure opposition candidates to similarly disclose their finances ahead of the electoral race.

In the political arena, Anwar recently found himself responding to comments from other politicians. His pledge to forgo the Prime Ministerial salary of approximately RM21,869 per month was seen as an effort to present a more down-to-earth image, despite criticisms from rivals like PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang who accused him of trying to appear morally superior.

This ranking comes at a time of intense scrutiny where wealth among world leaders has become a hot topic. Leading the list is Russia's notorious President Vladimir Putin, whose wealth is an astonishing US$200 billion (roughly RM892.5 billion). North Korea’s Kim Jong-un follows with a meager US$5 billion (about RM22.3 billion), while China's Xi Jinping is estimated to be worth US$1.5 billion (approximately RM6.6 billion).

Surprisingly, at the other end of the spectrum, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is reported to have a net worth of only US$2 million (RM8.9 million), placing him at the bottom of this lavish list. Philippine President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. and Singapore's PM Lawrence Wong are also in the lower ranks, with net worths of US$3.6 million (RM16 million) and US$5 million (RM22 million) respectively.

Interestingly, the rankings also reveal significant disparities in the wealth of various leaders. Certain notable mentions include Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ilham Aliyev at US$500 million (RM2.2 billion) and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa valued at US$450 million (RM2 billion).

While the numbers tell a story of wealth, the implications of such financial standings among leaders raise questions about the intersection of wealth and political integrity globally. As Anwar continues to navigate his leadership while presenting a compelling narrative to the Malaysian populace and beyond, the conversation about wealth, transparency, and governance is far from over.

Stay tuned as we uncover more intriguing developments in the world of political finance!