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SCMP Reporters

From key players including Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir Mohamad to the 1MDB scandal, here are the top things you may not know about Malaysian politics.
1. Will Anwar ever be PM?
A lightning-quick reversal of fortunes cannot be ruled out. Learn more

2. How has the Perikatan Nasional coalition shored up its position?
It has made legal moves against leaders of the Pakatan Harapan government, which fell in February 2020. Learn more

3. How influential is Malaysia's king?
The monarch has become increasingly influential in politics. Learn more

4. What's happened to Najib Razak?
The former PM was sentenced to 12 years in jail in the first of five criminal trials linking him to the 1MDB scandal. Learn more

5. What is Mahathir's relationship with Anwar like?
Their long-standing tensions continue. Learn more

6. Who is Muhyiddin Yassin?
Previously a low-lying political operator, he rose to power in 2020. Learn more

7. What's the link between Najib Razak and a murdered Mongolian model?
The former PM was allegedly involved in the case. Learn more

8. Who is Jho Low?
He is a fugitive financier implicated in the 1MDB scandal. Learn more

9. What happened between Anwar Ibrahim and his former protégé Azmin Ali?
Their falling out mirrors what happened between Mahathir and Anwar. Learn more

10. How did the 1MDB scandal affect Malaysian politics?
The fallout continues until today. Learn more

11. Who is Malaysia's king?
He is the ruler of Pahang, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. Learn more



Malaysia’s Umno chief denies he ‘sidelined’ Najib to secure his own legal freedom

FMT apologises for racial question linking Malaysia’s ‘Chinese problem’ and Palestine

Malaysia’s judiciary faces ‘immense pressure’ as court cases surge 60%, chief justice warns

Malaysia’s Umno seeks Najib’s pardon amid 1MDB scandal, while staying in PM Anwar’s coalition

Malaysian politics

11 things you may not know about Malaysian politics

Malaysia’s King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah last month called on MPs to support the country’s proposed budget. Photo: AFP

Anwar Ibrahim is squarely in the crossfire of the commentariat. Photo: EPA

Malaysia’s former finance minister Lim Guan Eng meets the media in Penang on August 10. Photo: AFP

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak arrives at the Kuala Lumpur High Court on July 28, 2020. Photo: Reuters

Anwar Ibrahim and Mahathir Mohamad, at the time Malaysia’s deputy prime minister and premier respectively, during a party meeting in 1998. Photo: AP

Malaysia's new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin waving outside his residence before his inauguration on Sunday. Photo: Handout

Najib Razak, Malaysia’s former prime minister. Photo: Bloomberg

Malaysian Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali. Photo: EPA-EFE

Protesters demonstrating against alleged corruption at 1MDB with portraits of Jho Low in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: AP

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak after being convicted in July 2020. Photo: AP

Pahang state’s Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah is tipped to take the throne. Photo: AP

News

Asia


Malaysia has been rocked by political upheaval since Muhyiddin Yassin became prime minister without an election in March 2020. The country's constitutional monarch has taken a more active role in politics while a power tussle involving veteran politicians Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim continues.



Malaysia has been rocked by political upheaval since Muhyiddin Yassin became prime minister without an election in March 2020. The country's constitutional monarch has taken a more active role in politics while a power tussle involving veteran politicians Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim continues.


Malaysia election 2022

Malaysia 1MDB scandal

Malaysia