ISLAMABAD – Malaysia’s opposition alliance named former premier MahathirMohamad on Sunday as its prime ministerial candidate for a general electionthis year, although the authoritarian who ran the country for two decadesand is now 92 years old faces an uphill task.
With the country’s most popular opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in jail,Mahathir is seen as the biggest threat for premier Najib Razak, who mustcall an election by August but is engulfed in a corruption scandal.
Still, an independent survey showed the opposition would have difficultybeating Najib, due to divisions within its own camp and unfavorableelectoral boundary changes.
Mahathir and former foe Anwar have joined up to oust Najib, and an electionvictory by their alliance could also potentially pave the way for Anwar toreturn and take over as prime minister.
If the opposition wins, it would immediately start the process to obtain aroyal pardon for Anwar so that he can be eligible to become prime minister,secretary general Saifuddin Abdullah said at the alliance’s convention.