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Mahathir Mohamad: Ex-Malaysia PM, 92, to run for office | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Malaysia's long-serving former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has been chosen once again as a candidate to run for the top job, at the age of 92. | Malaysia's long-serving former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has been chosen once again as a candidate to run for the top job, at the age of 92. |
On Sunday, he was picked by the opposition alliance as its prime ministerial candidate for a general election that must be called by August. | On Sunday, he was picked by the opposition alliance as its prime ministerial candidate for a general election that must be called by August. |
Mr Mahathir stepped down as prime minister in 2003. He had served in the post for more than two decades. | Mr Mahathir stepped down as prime minister in 2003. He had served in the post for more than two decades. |
If he wins, he will become one of the world's oldest leaders. | If he wins, he will become one of the world's oldest leaders. |
In recent years, he has been drawn back into politics because of his vocal opposition to current Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has been embroiled in a multi-billion dollar financial scandal involving a state development fund called 1MDB. | In recent years, he has been drawn back into politics because of his vocal opposition to current Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has been embroiled in a multi-billion dollar financial scandal involving a state development fund called 1MDB. |
Mr Mahathir cut links with the ruling UMNO party and in 2016 started a new party, Bersatu, which joined the Pakatan Harapan opposition alliance. | Mr Mahathir cut links with the ruling UMNO party and in 2016 started a new party, Bersatu, which joined the Pakatan Harapan opposition alliance. |
The former leader's authoritarian but essentially pragmatic policies at home during his tenure helped transform Malaysia into an Asian economic tiger, correspondents say. | The former leader's authoritarian but essentially pragmatic policies at home during his tenure helped transform Malaysia into an Asian economic tiger, correspondents say. |
However throughout his rule, he took a tough stand against those who opposed him or threatened his power, they add. | However throughout his rule, he took a tough stand against those who opposed him or threatened his power, they add. |
His deputy and heir apparent, Anwar Ibrahim, was abruptly sacked in 1998 over political difference, and was then jailed for six years on sodomy and corruption charges. | His deputy and heir apparent, Anwar Ibrahim, was abruptly sacked in 1998 over political difference, and was then jailed for six years on sodomy and corruption charges. |
But the two former political enemies have put aside their differences to take on Najib Razak. | But the two former political enemies have put aside their differences to take on Najib Razak. |
Mr Ibrahim, who led the opposition in the 2013 elections, was again jailed in 2015 on charges he says are politically motivated. | Mr Ibrahim, who led the opposition in the 2013 elections, was again jailed in 2015 on charges he says are politically motivated. |
The opposition says that if it wins it will seek a royal pardon for him so he is eligible to be prime minister. | The opposition says that if it wins it will seek a royal pardon for him so he is eligible to be prime minister. |
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