News analysis

United again, but Anwar still second fiddle to Mahathir

Anwar's baggage over past two decades makes him seem less acceptable as premier

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Just as they did four years ago, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim have set aside differences to jointly affirm their intentions of toppling a Malaysian government they claim lacks a mandate.

In 2016, their historic co-signed statement decried an oppressive new security law being introduced by the Najib Razak administration, coming hot on the heels of the fallout of the 1MDB scandal which eventually led to his ouster.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on May 17, 2020, with the headline United again, but Anwar still second fiddle to Mahathir. Subscribe