News analysis

The shackles of race are off in Malaysia - for now

Meritocratic moves generally cheered but big pushback from Malay community expected soon

Leslie Lopez

Regional Correspondent
Umno appeared to be too much in a state of shock from last month's electoral defeat to offer any resistance or direct other pressure groups to protest against the appointment of Mr Tommy Thomas (above) as Attorney-General. That is likely to change in
Umno appeared to be too much in a state of shock from last month's electoral defeat to offer any resistance or direct other pressure groups to protest against the appointment of Mr Tommy Thomas (above) as Attorney-General. That is likely to change in the coming months when reforms by the new administration start cutting into privileges that Umno and its allies have benefited from previously. PHOTO: BERNAMA
Updated
Jun 11, 2018, 09:02 AM
Published
Jun 10, 2018, 05:00 AM
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Few Malaysians expected it so soon.

But strongman Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's determined push last week to appoint outspoken constitutional lawyer Tommy Thomas as the country's new Attorney-General (A-G) is shaking up a long-established power dynamic in Malaysia: Malay dominance.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on June 10, 2018, with the headline The shackles of race are off in Malaysia - for now. Subscribe

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