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Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad: a 100-year mixed legacy
Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad: a 100-year mixed legacy

South China Morning Post

time3 days ago

  • Business
  • South China Morning Post

Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad: a 100-year mixed legacy

Mahathir Mohamad , the spry two-time prime minister of Malaysia, turned 100 on July 10. Visionary but detail-oriented, charismatic yet divisive, Mahathir has profoundly shaped the country's politics, economy and society over the past six decades. His entry into electoral politics was a turning point. In 1964, Mahathir contested his first parliamentary seat for Umno in Kedah. Unlike the United Malays National Organisation's urbane, first-generation leaders, Mahathir came from a rural background and articulated a more ethnically focused vision for Malaysia than was customary at the time. Following a brief period in the political wilderness, the result of his clashes with Malaysia's founding prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Mahathir rejoined Umno in the wake of the racial unrest of May 1969 . His rhetoric and outlook fit in with the country's conscious pivot towards addressing wealth disparities among its various ethnic groups. First ascending to the premiership in 1981, Mahathir led Malaysia for an unprecedented 22 years. His stewardship of the economy was, at the macro level, laudable. He was committed to balanced budgets, maintained a relatively open economy, prioritised infrastructure investment and courted foreign direct investment. The result was an average annual growth rate of 6 to 7 per cent. Tourists take pictures in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday with the Petronas Twin Towers in the background. Photo: AFP

Malaysia's Anwar faces more woes as sexual harassment case against him proceeds
Malaysia's Anwar faces more woes as sexual harassment case against him proceeds

South China Morning Post

time05-06-2025

  • General
  • South China Morning Post

Malaysia's Anwar faces more woes as sexual harassment case against him proceeds

A crisis of credibility hangs over Malaysia 's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as he prepares to face a sexual harassment suit later this month, the latest in a series of controversies that has rocked his administration and cast doubts over his reformist agenda. Advertisement Anwar faces allegations that he has sexually assaulted a former aide, as the case threatens to dredge up past sex scandals that hounded him for years while he was in opposition. A high court in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday threw out Anwar's attempt to invoke legal immunity as prime minister against the suit filed by Muhammed Yusoff Rawther, ruling there were no constitutional provisions for such privileges. The trial for the case is scheduled to begin on June 16. In accepting the ruling, Anwar said on Wednesday his application was 'never about seeking personal immunity or escaping legal scrutiny'. 'It concerns the integrity of our constitutional system and the need to ensure that high public office is protected from litigation that may be strategically timed, politically motivated or institutionally disruptive,' he said in a statement. Advertisement Anwar's reputation has taken a beating in recent weeks.

Loke: Don't pressure Anwar over ministers' resignations, Tengku Zafrul joining PKR isn't DAP's business
Loke: Don't pressure Anwar over ministers' resignations, Tengku Zafrul joining PKR isn't DAP's business

Malay Mail

time01-06-2025

  • Business
  • Malay Mail

Loke: Don't pressure Anwar over ministers' resignations, Tengku Zafrul joining PKR isn't DAP's business

SEREMBAN, June 1 — All parties are urged not to put pressure on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim following the resignation of two ministers from the Cabinet recently, said Transport Minister Anthony Loke. He said the Prime Minister will make a decision based on thorough consideration and at his discretion, in the best interest of the country. 'The appointment of ministers is the jurisdiction and prerogative of the Prime Minister... I am confident that he will act wisely in this matter and will take various factors into account in filling any vacancies. So far, there are no vacancies. 'As stated by the PM, he only approved the leave for both ministers. So far, they still hold their positions, (they are) just on leave,' he told reporters after attending a Hi-Tea event with 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) top achievers in Negeri Sembilan here yesterday. On Wednesday (May 28), Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad were reported to have resigned from the Cabinet, effective June 17 and July 4 respectively, after losing in the 2025 PKR party elections. Rafizi failed to defend his post as PKR deputy president after losing to Nurul Izzah Anwar while Nik Nazmi lost in the race for vice-presidency. The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that Anwar had received letters from the two ministers requesting leave and tendering their resignations from the Cabinet posts. The statement also confirmed that Anwar had approved their leave requests, and that any further decisions would be communicated by the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, Loke, who is also the Seremban Member of Parliament, said that DAP would not interfere in the internal affairs of any party, including component parties. 'The issue of Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz quitting UMNO and applying to join PKR is also not our party's business. So, I'm taking the approach that if it does not involve my party, I will not comment. 'DAP members also know that and have not made any statements. I do not encourage anyone to make the situation worse if the issue involves component parties... if there is an appointment or vacancy, that is their business,' he said. On Friday, Tengku Zafrul, who is Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, announced his resignation as a UMNO Supreme Council member, Kota Raja division chief and party member. — Bernama

Malaysia's Rafizi to Face Off Anwar's Daughter in Party Polls
Malaysia's Rafizi to Face Off Anwar's Daughter in Party Polls

Bloomberg

time09-05-2025

  • Politics
  • Bloomberg

Malaysia's Rafizi to Face Off Anwar's Daughter in Party Polls

Malaysia's Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli is set to compete with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's daughter for their party's deputy presidency, a development that's set to heighten tensions in the country's ruling bloc. Nurul Izzah Anwar — who's currently the vice president of People's Justice Party — confirmed her candidacy for the second most senior position in a Facebook post on Friday. Rafizi's nomination was also affirmed by his spokesperson. Voting will take place on May 23.

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