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Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

nytimes.com

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Re: Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

#11

Post by madaxe_again »

qubex wrote: post #4

As somebody who frequented Malaysia extensively in the first half of the 2000s (in the aftermath of the ruinous 1997 currency crisis) I’m very curious to see how the dynamic between Mahathir and Anwar plays out: the latter was a member of the former’s government during the crisis and the former had the latter jailed on what were wildly held to be trumped-up sodomy charges (as the article mentions). This is going to b…

They were very trumped up indeed. I am acquainted with someone who used to be on Anwar’s staff - he was put under severe pressure (threats to livelihood, family, life) to testify against Anwar - “sign this statement we wrote” type thing.

He ended up changing his name and seeking asylum in Thailand.

As to how this plays out - I am highly sceptical of Mahathir’s motives. You don’t have a sudden change of heart in your 90’s and give up a lifetime of authoritarian nepotism unless you’ve a strong motive - and what that motive is, I don’t know.

I just can’t help but think that this is a trap. BN brand is getting dirty, so transfer their animus to the opposition, resume business as usual?

Re: Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

#12

Post by lowtto »

nafey wrote: post #3

If any Malaysians can answer: Recently Malaysia has been in news for increased religious extremism/fundamentalism. Can any improvement on this front be expected by the new government?

Yes it can.

Some objectives includes true da'wah. An effort to demonstrate a kind, tolerant and true Islam. Best example you can see today is the atmosphere of the election itself. Near non-existent violent / provocation or mass street demonstration has occurred. This is arguably the most peaceful turnaround of power ever in history of democracy. And we even accepted a 92-year old as our President.

Re: Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

#13

Post by OnlyLys »

sohkamyung wrote: post #8
qubex wrote: post #4

As somebody who frequented Malaysia extensively in the first half of the 2000s (in the aftermath of the ruinous 1997 currency crisis) I’m very curious to see how the dynamic between Mahathir and Anwar plays out: the latter was a member of the former’s government during the crisis and the former had the latter jailed on what were wildly held to be trumped-up sodomy charges (as the article mentions). This is going to b…

I've read accounts in the local media (in Malaysia and Singapore) that Mahathir will work at getting Anwar pardoned. Once pardoned, Anwar will run for a seat in Parliament. Once in, Mahathir would step aside and let Anwar become the Prime Minister. How this would work in practice is, of course, pretty much unknown territory for now.

> I've read accounts in the local media (in Malaysia and Singapore) that Mahathir will work at getting Anwar pardoned. Once pardoned, Anwar will run for a seat in Parliament. Once in, Mahathir would step aside and let Anwar become the Prime Minister.

That's correct, he said it again live during last night's victory speech.

Re: Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

#14

Post by qubex »

sohkamyung wrote: post #9
qubex wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

N.B. ‘ Malays ’ is an ethnic group (the supposedly-native ”people of the land” ( bumiputra ) Muslim majority); nationality of Malaysia is fairly mixed including Malays, ethnic Chinese, ethnic Indians, and even orang asli (”original people”). The correct term for this aggregate is Malaysians .

Correct. Just a minor typo at the end: it should be Malaysians .

Thanks, corrected.

Re: Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

#15

Post by nailer »

qubex wrote: post #4

As somebody who frequented Malaysia extensively in the first half of the 2000s (in the aftermath of the ruinous 1997 currency crisis) I’m very curious to see how the dynamic between Mahathir and Anwar plays out: the latter was a member of the former’s government during the crisis and the former had the latter jailed on what were wildly held to be trumped-up sodomy charges (as the article mentions). This is going to b…

Mahatir is insane (or as the post notes below, perhaps shrewdly taking advantage of ignorant or powerless populace). Asides from faking the sodomy charges against Anwar (who was widely popular and hence seen as a threat), he also believes an international conspiracy of Jewish people caused the Asian Financial Crisis:

https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/16/world/malaysian-premier-s...

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/oct/17/malaysia

Re: Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

#16

Post by jpatokal »

afeezaziz wrote: post #7
nafey wrote: post #3

If any Malaysians can answer: Recently Malaysia has been in news for increased religious extremism/fundamentalism. Can any improvement on this front be expected by the new government?

From my observation as a Malaysian Malay, I do not think that this change of government will stop the rise of Islamic fundamentalism. This Arabicization of Malaysia was started by Mr. Anwar Ibrahim who was imprisoned by Mr. Mahathir Mohamad and now became good friends and partners. Mr. Anwar is the de facto leader of the coalition that won the election.

Seems like a step in the right direction though? If BN had won in coalition with PAS, they would have had to bend over regarding sharia, hudud, etc.

Acronym decoder:

BN = Barisan Nasional = old ruling coalition

PAS = Parti Islam Se-Malaysia = take a wild guess :)

Re: Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

#18

Post by rglovejoy »

nailer wrote: post #15
qubex wrote: post #4

As somebody who frequented Malaysia extensively in the first half of the 2000s (in the aftermath of the ruinous 1997 currency crisis) I’m very curious to see how the dynamic between Mahathir and Anwar plays out: the latter was a member of the former’s government during the crisis and the former had the latter jailed on what were wildly held to be trumped-up sodomy charges (as the article mentions). This is going to b…

Mahatir is insane (or as the post notes below, perhaps shrewdly taking advantage of ignorant or powerless populace). Asides from faking the sodomy charges against Anwar (who was widely popular and hence seen as a threat), he also believes an international conspiracy of Jewish people caused the Asian Financial Crisis: https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/16/world/malaysian-premier-s... https://www.theguardian.com/world/200…

He also tried to have Schinldler's List banned in his country because he felt it would make people sympathetic towards Israel.

Re: Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

#19

Post by rorykoehler »

baybal2 wrote: post #2

What a surprise. I was certain that when Najib Razak will be cornered, he would've resorted to election rigging. Looks like his rating tanked so hard, that even foul play on a level available to him did not gained much for him. Congratulating Malaysian people.

I have no idea why you have been down voted. That was on practically everyones minds in Malaysia.

Today if you type in "where" on Google search Malaysia the first suggestion is "Where is Najib", the second is "Where is Najib now" and so on

Re: Malaysia Opposition, Led by 92-Year-Old, Wins Upset Victory

#20

Post by azernik »

rayiner wrote: post #17

I don’t understand the spin. The article doesn’t mention that he was prime minister for more than 20 years previously until halfway through. By most accounts a decent prime minister. But also a virulent anti-Semite: http://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp506.htm

Because the leader isn't the point; the political parties are. He's a unifying figure for an ethnic-minority and liberal-opposition coalition very different from the one that's ruled the country since independence.
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