Prime frenemies: Saga of Mahathir and Anwar

Even as they try to regain power, Malaysia's two opposition leaders remain locked in suspicion, ill will

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a February photo. It is an open secret that both men believe they should be prime minister should the Muhyiddin administration fall, although publicly, neither is committing either way. Dr Maha
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in a February photo. It is an open secret that both men believe they should be prime minister should the Muhyiddin administration fall, although publicly, neither is committing either way. Dr Mahathir is bidding to be premier for the third time ahead of his 95th birthday next month while Mr Anwar is still awaiting his chance to govern Malaysia, 22 years after his last Cabinet position. PHOTO: BERNAMA
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Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's parliamentary majority might be teetering on the brink but Malaysia's two opposition stalwarts seem unable to see eye-to-eye - even literally.

Leaders of the Pakatan Harapan-led (PH) opposition are having to meet former premier Mahathir Mohamad separately from his uneasy ally Anwar Ibrahim in their bid to reclaim power after their sudden ouster in February.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 07, 2020, with the headline Prime frenemies: Saga of Mahathir and Anwar. Subscribe