Inside Story

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