The Bitter Feud at the Center of Malaysia's Election

  • Najib and Mahathir have sparred repeatedly over the years
  • Both leaders seeking Malay votes to win on Wednesday
Election Battle Heats Up in Malaysia
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

It’s not just any other election for Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak: The vote on Wednesday is personal.

His main challenger, Mahathir Mohamad, led the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition for roughly a third of its 61-year run in power, making him Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister. He backed Najib to replace his successor more than a decade ago, but now wants to boot him from office.