Malaysia’s new prime minister has become the world’s oldest leader at the ripe old age of 92. In a stunning political comeback, Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in 15 years after he stood down.
The former strongman came out of retirement and defected to the opposition to take on the National Front, which has held power in the Muslim-majority country for 60 years.
The National Front’s leader Najib Razak was swept aside after his reputation became tarnished by a corruption scandal and an unpopular crackdown on dissent.
‘We need to have this government today without delay,’ Mahathir, 92, said before Malaysia’s king at the state palace in Kuala Lumpur.
The former strongman came out of retirement and defected to the opposition to take on the National Front, which has held power in the Muslim-majority country for 60 years.
The National Front’s leader Najib Razak was swept aside after his reputation became tarnished by a corruption scandal and an unpopular crackdown on dissent.
‘We need to have this government today without delay,’ Mahathir, 92, said before Malaysia’s king at the state palace in Kuala Lumpur.
‘There is a lot of work to be done. You know the mess the country is in and we need to attend to this mess as soon as possible and that means today.’
Mahathir was Malaysia’s prime minister for 22 years until stepping down in 2003 and was credited with modernising Malaysia, but he was also known as a heavy-handed leader who imprisoned opponents.
He emerged from political retirement in anger at the corruption scandal at 1Malaysian Development Berhad (1MDB), a state investment fund by Najib, his former protege.
The US Justice Department says $4.5 billion was looted from 1MBD by associates of Najib between 2009 and 2014.
Mahathir was Malaysia’s prime minister for 22 years until stepping down in 2003 and was credited with modernising Malaysia, but he was also known as a heavy-handed leader who imprisoned opponents.
He emerged from political retirement in anger at the corruption scandal at 1Malaysian Development Berhad (1MDB), a state investment fund by Najib, his former protege.
The US Justice Department says $4.5 billion was looted from 1MBD by associates of Najib between 2009 and 2014.
This includes $700 million found in Najib’s bank account and a $23 million pink diamond necklace bought for Najib’s wife.
He has denied wrongdoing. Mahathir said the new government will not conduct a witch hunt, but Najib will have to face the consequences if he has broken the law.
Mahathir has said the new government would seek the release and full pardon of Anwar Ibrahim, an opposition icon imprisoned on sodomy charges.
Anwar, who was also imprisoned under Mahathir following a power struggle, said the charges were fabricated by the National Front to crush his opposition.
He has denied wrongdoing. Mahathir said the new government will not conduct a witch hunt, but Najib will have to face the consequences if he has broken the law.
Mahathir has said the new government would seek the release and full pardon of Anwar Ibrahim, an opposition icon imprisoned on sodomy charges.
Anwar, who was also imprisoned under Mahathir following a power struggle, said the charges were fabricated by the National Front to crush his opposition.
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