Malaysian pro-democracy leader Maria Chin Abdullah launches election bid in boost for opposition against PM Najib Razak

Speculation has been rife that Malaysian PM Najib Razak will call elections within weeks as his ruling Barisan Nasional coalition inches closer to the end of its five-year term

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Maria Chin Abdullah, former chairperson of the coalition of Malaysian NGOs and activist groups known as Bersih at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

Published: 4:22pm, 6 Mar 2018Updated: 1:02pm, 30 Mar 2018

The leader of Malaysia’s biggest pro-democracy group said on Tuesday she will stand for parliament in a general election under the banner of an opposition alliance aiming to throw Prime Minister Najib Razak out of office.

Maria Chin Abdullah is chairwoman of the activist group Bersih, which means “clean” in the Malay language, and which has for years led anti-government protests against Najib who has been dogged by a scandal over huge losses at a state fund.

She is standing as an independent but under the banner of the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan.

Her support for the opposition in a general election that must be held by August is likely to bolster the opposition alliance, led by former premier Mahathir Mohamad, especially among urban voters frustrated with Najib’s rule.

“The system has not worked for us. We have to try new strategies and entering parliament is just one of them,” Chin, 62, said.

A protester holds a caricature poster depicting Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak during a mass rally organised by Bersih 5.0 calling for his resignation in Kuala Lumpur in 2016. File photo: AFP