What's next for Malaysia? Mahathir moves to shore up political clout

Malaysians have voted resoundingly to change the government that ruled the nation since 1957. Most of the leaders in the Pakatan Harapan coalition are tasting federal power for the first time, but are guided by the experienced hand of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. We look at what lies ahead for the new administration as it finds its feet, and the emerging players, in the changed political landscape.

Malaysia's newly elected Premier Mahathir Mohamad at a news conference in Menara Yayasan Selangor, Petaling Jaya, yesterday. Supporters of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was an opposition candidate for Pakatan Harapan, outside the hotel in Petaling Jay — Supporters of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was an opposition candidate for Pakatan Harapan, outside the hotel in Petaling Jaya, where he held a news conference on Thursday. Dr Mahathir has been sworn in as Premier. PHOTO: REUTERS

Malaysia’s newly elected Premier Mahathir Mohamad at a news conference in Menara Yayasan Selangor, Petaling Jaya, yesterday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Leslie Lopez

Regional Correspondent

Updated

Published

May 13, 2018, 05:00 AM

KUALA LUMPUR • Malaysia's newly sworn-in premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has set an aggressive tone for his new administration, promising a raft of reforms, pledges to investigate previous wrongdoings and top-level changes in the civil service.

Behind the scenes, a more urgent campaign is taking shape to shore up his political clout within the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition that trounced the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the historic May 9 general election.

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