KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay on his election as the new Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, describing the victory as a historic moment for the state’s political landscape.
In a statement on his Facebook today, Anwar said the people of Tamil Nadu had entrusted Vijay with a responsibility far greater than any role he portrayed during his long film career.
“I warmly congratulate my friend Vijay on being elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
“For many years, his adoring fans watched him defeat corrupt politicians and assorted villains within three hours, usually after a short interval. The people of Tamil Nadu have now entrusted Vijay with a responsibility far greater than any role performed on screen.
“Oru Viral Puratchi — the ‘one-finger revolution’ is now on the cusp of creating history,” Anwar said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the longstanding relationship between Malaysia and Tamil Nadu, noting the deep cultural and historical links shared between both communities over generations.
“Malaysia and Tamil Nadu share deep historical, cultural and people-to-people ties across generations. I look forward to working closely with Chief Minister Vijay in the years ahead,” he added.
Vijay, one of Tamil cinema’s biggest stars, led his party to a breakthrough victory in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu state elections, ending decades of dominance by the state’s traditional political coalitions. His campaign, centred on governance reform, youth mobilisation and anti-corruption messaging, drew massive crowds across the state and was heavily driven by his fan network and grassroots volunteers.
The phrase “Oru Viral Puratchi”, which translates to “one-finger revolution”, became a defining slogan throughout the campaign, symbolising the power of a single vote to bring political change.
Following the election results, Vijay was formally sworn in as Chief Minister in a ceremony attended by senior political leaders, film personalities and thousands of supporters in Chennai earlier this week.
His rise from cinema icon to the head of one of India’s most politically influential states has drawn widespread attention across the region, particularly among the Tamil diaspora in countries such as Malaysia and Singapore. – May 12, 2026