This article first appeared on 27 April, 2020 on Kill Your Darlings (KYD), one of Australia’s leading arts and culture magazines.By 9pm on 9 May, 2018, the results of the Malaysian general election are just beginning to become clear. My family friend Sham, her two twin daughters and I abandon a shopping trip in Kuala Lumpur once the first results begin to trickle in. We need to be where the action is.

Malaysian police questioned ex-premier Mahathir Mohamad's daughter and 18 other activists Wednesday over several small, peaceful protests triggered by the elderly leader losing power and a corruption-tainted party's return.The reformist "Pact of Hope" alliance, which took power in a historic victory two years ago, collapsed last week and 94-year-old prime minister Mahathir resigned.He then sought to return as premier but unexpectedly lost out to Muhyiddin Yassin, who is ba

A staunch Muslim nationalist backed by a scandal-mired party was sworn in as Malaysia's premier Sunday after a reformist government's collapse, but ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad, 94, slammed the move as illegal.The Southeast Asian nation was plunged into turmoil after Mahathir's "Pact of Hope" alliance, which stormed to a historic victory in 2018, collapsed amid bitter infighting.Mahathir, who was the world's oldest leader, initially quit as premier but then sought

Malaysia's parliament will vote Monday on the country's next prime minister in a bid to end a political crisis, but if no candidate has enough support there will be a snap election, Mahathir Mohamad said.It was the latest twist in a drama triggered when Mahathir quit as premier and the government collapsed following a failed attempt to form a new ruling coalition without his designated successor, Anwar Ibrahim.Anwar and Mahathir are now locked in a power struggle, reviving a rivalry

Malaysia was plunged into a bitter power struggle Wednesday as Mahathir Mohamad sought to form a unity government following his shock resignation, but old foe Anwar Ibrahim also pushed to become premier.The developments deepened a crisis that began when the ruling coalition - which included both men when it stormed to a historic poll victory in 2018 - fell apart after a failed bid to establish a new government without Anwar.Anwar was Mahathir's designated successor, but he would likely h

Malaysia's government has collapsed after the resignation of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, which followed a failed bid by rivals to form a new coalition aimed at stopping leader-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim from succeeding him.Mahathir, 94, the world's oldest leader, has been appointed interim leader while intense political jockeying is underway to form a new government.Here are some details about the political crisis and what could happen next: How did events unfold?The rul

Yesterday, Malaysia’s Dr Mahathir Mohamad did something many in the country could not have expected – he resigned as the country’s prime minister. After subsequently delaying his exit as the country’s administrator, the shock most of the country was feeling was understandable.Following Dr Mahathir’s resignation, it was up to His Royal Highness, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia) to decide whether to accept his resignation or not. The King did.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigned Monday in a shock move as his alliance that came to power less than two years ago unravelled, but he was reappointed as interim leader by the king.It came after months of rising tensions in his "Pact of Hope" coalition, which toppled a corruption-mired government in 2018, and as some manoeuvre to block the ascent of leader-in-waiting Anwar Ibrahim.But there were calls for Mahathir, the world's oldest leader at 94, to stay in of

Malaysia has seen a long period of speculation from a large portion of the public that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad would never hand over the prime ministerial position to his nemesis-turned-ally Anwar Ibrahim.

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, at 94 the world's oldest leader, submitted his resignation to the king on Monday, his office said, after a bid by his political partners to bring down the government.Dr Mahathir "has sent a resignation letter as prime minister of Malaysia", said a statement from his office. – AFP