Azmin steps out of his mentors' shadow

Former PKR leader's growing influence did not happen by accident or Mahathir's own design

Above: Malaysia's new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin waving outside his residence in Kuala Lumpur, with Datuk Seri Azmin Ali (second from left) by his side, before his inauguration yesterday. Left: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking at a press confere
Above: Malaysia's new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin waving outside his residence in Kuala Lumpur, with Datuk Seri Azmin Ali (second from left) by his side, before his inauguration yesterday. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Above: Malaysia's new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin waving outside his residence in Kuala Lumpur, with Datuk Seri Azmin Ali (second from left) by his side, before his inauguration yesterday. Left: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking at a press confere
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaking at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. The former prime minister insisted yesterday that he still had the backing of the majority of lawmakers in the 222-strong Parliament. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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When a bright-eyed 23-year-old graduate from the United States had the temerity to ask Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad for a job in 1987, he gained not one but two political mentors after being assigned to then Education Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

That young man was Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who has since then always operated under the wing of at least one, if not both his mentors.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 02, 2020, with the headline Azmin steps out of his mentors' shadow. Subscribe