In Mahathir’s new Malaysia, Azmin v Ramli leaves Anwar facing an old problem

Azmin Ali and Rafizi Ramli have been embroiled in a divisive race to become the deputy president of Anwar Ibrahim’s party

Conflict shows how hard it will be for the prime-minister-in-waiting to project a united front against the Barisan Nasional

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Malaysian politician Anwar Ibrahim in parliament. Photo: AP

Published: 7:17pm, 12 Nov 2018Updated: 7:40pm, 12 Nov 2018

As Malaysia adjusts to life under the Pakatan Harapan coalition government, infighting in its most influential constituent party shows just what a challenge the prime-minister-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim faces in keeping a united front against the dethroned Barisan Nasional.

Pakatan Harapan ended the Barisan Nasional’s 61-year monopoly on power with a shock victory in May’s general election, but amid all the euphoria there have been indications it is struggling to adjust to life in government.

Among these are the all-too-familiar signs of infighting that has gripped Anwar’s People’s Justice Party (PKR) – which holds 50 of the 222 parliamentary seats and is the largest party in the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

The PKR has become bogged down in a divisive competition between two of Anwar’s lieutenants over the position of deputy president. Internal party polling has been marred by allegations of fraud, misconduct, vote tampering and even violence.

Rumours of money politics, phantom voters, a hacked e-voting system, and the alleged interference of sitting Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad have all been exchanged both in traditional and social media.