04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Anwar Ibrahim signs for Negri Sembilan — no, not the PM
KUALA LUMPUR: In a transfer move that turned heads and triggered double takes across social media, Anwar Ibrahim has signed for Negri Sembilan.
No, not Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but a 26-year-old right back who just happens to share his name with Malaysia's most famous politician.
Anwar (the footballer) will don Negri colours for the 2025-2026 M-League season, with the club's announcement quickly going viral and attracting more than 1,500 comments on Facebook.
This isn't the first time the Kelantan-born defender has made headlines.
In 2023, he caused quite the stir during a KL City match, unintentionally surprising then-Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail when his name was announced as a second-half substitute.
It was during the Federal Territories Minister's Cup at the KLFA Stadium, and for a brief moment, Wan Azizah — in the stands — thought her husband was being called into action.
KL City went on to beat Perak 3-0, and after the match, with Wan Azizah on medal duty, she made a point to meet and snap a photo with the young namesake.
"Akram Mahinan went on stage first and told her my name," recalled Anwar.
"She then said she wanted to take a picture with me. I was touched."
Anwar's best career moment was winning the Malaysia Cup in 2021 with KL City.
