Anwar, the celebrity PM?

Debate continues over Anwar Ibrahim's approach to the public seven months after he took over the top office in Putrajaya, with a former editor saying it is up to leaders whether to behave like celebrities or not. 

Since becoming prime minister, Anwar has sought to adopt a "people-friendly" approach to the public, and is frequently seen singing onstage, dancing the joget with guests, greeting customers at eateries, and holding dialogues with university students. 

For some, the impression is of a friendly and sociable prime minister who is easygoing and down-to-earth.

Others meanwhile see his behaviour as undignified and inappropriate for a leader of his stature, especially at official functions. 

Zin Mahmud, a former senior editor of Utusan Malaysia, said that being people-friendly and down-to-earth meant going down to the ground to solve the people's problems. 

"Not singing, dancing, or joking," he added. 

"But if the prime minister likes to behave like a celebrity, that is up to him." 

While Anwar has made efforts to come across as approachable, some of his attempts have backfired, most recently a joke he made during a session with university students in Negeri Sembilan.

At the event, he praised a female student for her delivery of her questions, and said he would have asked for her phone number had he been younger. 

His remark was strongly criticised by the opposition despite Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek saying that it had been misunderstood. 

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, Zin said a prime minister reflects the leadership of his country during his time. 

He added that a prime minister's reputation would change according to the seasons. 

"The prime ministers who came before also had their own problems," he said. 

"There was both good and bad. I would not care to make comparisons as this would be unfair towards them."