Inside Story

Could Anwar Ibrahim be Malaysia’s next prime minister?

The Malaysian opposition leader makes another push to get the job, saying he has enough support in Parliament.

He has been on the verge of leading Malaysia for decades.

Now, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is again trying to grab the post of prime minister.

He said he has presented the king with evidence that he has the required majority in Parliament to unseat Muhyiddin Yassin.

Muhyiddin only has a two-seat majority and is struggling to maintain support.

The palace said Anwar has told the monarch how many legislators backed him, but did not reveal their identities.

The renewed power struggle comes as Malaysia’s economy is being battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

Anwar has urged Malaysians to be patient and give the king space to review his bid.

Could he finally grab power and what would it mean for Malaysia?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:

Tricia Yeoh – CEO of  the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs

Ibrahim Suffian – Executive director of the Merdeka Centre, a public opinion research organisation

Bridget Welsh – Senior research associate in the Centre for East Asia Democratic Studies at the National Taiwan University