Advertisement
Mahathir and Anwar: a timeline of Malaysian succession and speculation
- It has been 18 months since Mahathir led his Pakatan Harapan coalition to election victory, but there is increasing anxiety about the country’s direction
- Among the chief concerns is the question of when – and if – he will hand over power to Anwar Ibrahim
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Eighteen months after Mahathir Mohamad spearheaded a stunning election victory to lead Malaysia for a second time, public euphoria about his Pakatan Harapan alliance is giving way to increasing anxiety about where the country is heading.
Advertisement
The slow pace of reforms is one reason for concern, but the big question is whether yet another political civil war is on the horizon as the 94-year-old leader demurs on when exactly he will hand over power to his named successor and one-time sworn enemy, Anwar Ibrahim.
Will Mahathir stay the full five-year term, or will he hand the reins to Anwar as promised?
This Week in Asia plots the twists and turns surrounding these questions.
Advertisement
J anuary 7, 2018
Pakatan Harapan names Mahathir Mohamad as its prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming general election. The coalition agrees to obtain a royal pardon for the imprisoned Anwar Ibrahim to allow him to succeed Mahathir, then aged 92.
Advertisement