How Sworn Enemies Toppled Najib But Now Pose a New Risk to Malaysia
- Premier Mahathir promised before vote to hand power to Anwar
- Anwar’s history with Mahathir may cast a shadow over ties
This article is for subscribers only.
A courtroom handshake in September 2016 between sworn enemies may have sealed the fate of Malaysia’s ousted premier Najib Razak.
The rapprochement between Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his nemesis-turned-ally Anwar Ibrahim started a process that culminated in their shock election win last week, sweeping away a coalition in power for six decades. Now the fledgling administration faces a big early test: The durability of the alliance between the two men as they stop being the opposition and start the difficult business of governing.