The 98-year-old, who served twice as prime minister for a total of 24 years – including a period in his 90s – has suffered from several heart problems and has had at least two bypass surgeries.

Former PMs Mahathir Mohamad and Muhyiddin Yassin ‘will stab PAS’, wrote Umno supreme council member Puad Zarkashi. ‘But PAS will stab them first’.

The ex-prime minister faces mounting questions over his motivation for his new ‘Malay Proclamation’ activism.

‘The constitution stresses a Malay-Malaysia’, said two-time prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, as he predicted Anwar Ibrahim’s government would ‘collapse’ if it didn’t follow the Democratic Action Party’s ‘manifesto’.

Performance in six state elections crucial for party’s political survival as it tries to regain the support of majority Malay-Muslims while maintaining a ‘progressive’ image.

After a trip to Europe in the 1990s, Malaysia’s ex-PM Mahathir Mohamad was so enamoured by the ancient French town of Colmar, he wanted one himself.

Legal threat comes after PM Anwar Ibrahim made a thinly veiled attack on Mahathir Mohamad, potentially reigniting a decades-old feud.

Despite being dubbed a ‘ghost mall’, the Malay-Muslim concept Malakat Mall is the busiest place in the Cyberjaya district full of abandoned shops and restaurants.

Anwar Ibrahim’s victory in the Malaysian election caps one of the most remarkable political turnarounds in modern Southeast Asian history.

Muhyiddin makes dramatic return after being forced to step down as prime minister in 2021, with Perikatan Nasional on brink of taking federal power.

Failure by the main parties to win a majority means a combination of them would have to build a majority alliance to form a government.

Malaysia’s tumultuous political scene, coloured by corruption and politicking, is further complicated by racial policies, the rising cost of living, economic uncertainty and an election held during monsoon season.

Umno’s corruption-tainted Barisan Nasional coalition promises ‘stability’. But internal strife and growing support for Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan could yet deny them a return to power – as could the ‘unprecedented amount’ of undecided voters.

A crowded election field involving the three main coalitions, tens of parties and a record 108 independent candidates will add to the challenges posed by the influx of millions of young voters who are voting for the first time, according to local pollsters.

About 1.39 million first-time voters are in the 18-20 age group, but a political system typically run by much older people is out of touch with the needs of the country’s youth.

Calls unlikely to inspire any confidence, observers say, as even Anwar appears to have had enough of his former mentor’s overtures.

Malaysian voters diverge on how best to avoid a return of Umno to pre-2018 strength, with some still counting on Pakatan Harapan and some looking to new parties like youth-centric Muda.

Young people are ready to move on from the old guard, whose reputation has been sullied by their longevity and a series of corruption allegations, he says.

The two-time leader says he is standing for election because of the people’s will and desire to block former protégé Najib Razak from retaking power.

Anwar will face caretaker premier Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who was endorsed by the ruling United Malays National Organisation during November 19 poll.

Malaysia’s ringgit, languishing at a 24-year low against the dollar, is poised to weaken further on concern a national election may threaten the government’s ability to push through a deficit-busting budget.

Malaysia’s elder statesman will defend his seat of Langkawi in the coming general election, but won’t say if he would be PM a third time if his new political alliance wins.

Analysts say it might be a ‘tall order’ for any group to win a supermajority this time, given the larger number of parties and coalitions in the fight.

The opposition leader said his three-party alliance still has strong support, while there is infighting and graft within PM Ismail Sabri’s administration.