What’s behind the newfound alliance in Malaysia?
After years in prison, Anwar Ibrahim is tipped to replace his once bitter foe Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.
Anwar is describing events as a new dawn for Malaysia. He has walked free from prison thanks to a royal pardon and the help of the man who sacked and jailed him 20 years ago.
Mahathir Mohamad was re-elected last week as the world’s oldest prime minister. The 92-year-old is choosing Anwar – his former deputy before they became political enemies – as his replacement in the next couple of years.
The royal pardon allows Anwar to return to politics after serving three of a five-year prison sentence for sodomy and corruption – charges he says were a political smear.
So why are they cooperating now? And what does it all mean for Malaysia?
Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra
Guests:
Chin-Huat Wong – political scientist, Penang Institute
Clare Rewcastle Brown – founder, Sarawak Report
Sophie Lemiere – Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University