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Anwar had convened parliament to prove his majority, after rival
and former premier Muhyiddin Yassin cast doubt on his support.
The confidence motion was passed by a simple voice vote - with
lawmakers voicing their support - after the opposition argued
against it because Anwar has already been officially sworn in as
Prime Minister by the monarch.
"The ayes have it... We have sufficient majority and it is
two-thirds," communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil
said.
"The unity government in Malaysia stands strong with solid
support, and we will focus on the people's welfare," he added.
The opposition bloc continued to question the number of
lawmakers in the 222-seat parliament who supported Anwar and
said they were ready to take over as ruling government "when the
time comes".
"It can be any time; tomorrow, next week or next election," said
opposition leader Hamzah Zainuddin.
Anwar, 75, who is also finance minister, took steps to cement
his support last week by signing a cooperation pact with smaller
political parties.
The parties agreed to ensure political stability after years of
turmoil, spur the economy, foster good governance, and uphold
the rights of the country's majority Malay community and Islam
as its official religion.
Anwar - who has spent more than two decades as an opposition
figure - had previously been denied the premiership despite
getting within striking distance of it.
In between, he spent nearly a decade in jail for sodomy and
corruption in what he says were politically motivated charges.
In the closely contested polls last month, Anwar's bloc did not
win a simple majority. But he was appointed by Malaysia's King
and proceeded to form a coalition government with the help of
other political blocs.
His new government includes the previous ruling coalition
Barisan Nasional, which he spent much of his political career
seeking to overthrow.
(Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Bernadette Baum)
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