Najib's tenure as Prime Minister has been marked by economic liberalisation measures, such as cuts to government subsidies, loosening of restrictions on foreign investment, and reductions in preferential measures for ethnic Malays in business. His Barisan Nasional coalition was re-elected at the 2013 election, albeit with a reduced majority due in large part to a substantial movement of urban voters to opposition parties. After the election his government was marked by the pursuit of a number of its critics on sedition charges, the imprisonment of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim following a conviction for sodomy, the implementation of a Goods and Services Tax, and an ongoing scandal involving state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Najib's various subsidy cuts have contributed to soaring living costs,[1] while fluctuating oil prices have led to a steady depreciation of the Malaysian ringgit.[2]