Sophie Lemière is a Visiting Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, University of Nottingham, Malaysia. She is also Adjunct Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC and runs a political consulting firm based in Kuala Lumpur.
Ironically, the second coming of a leader implicated in a global financial scandal is based on an appeal to nostalgia for a pre-Covid, more prosperous time, writes Sophie Lemière.
The former premier’s position heading the National Recovery Council is another sign of his survival instinct – and don’t discount another bid for the top job.
While many believe Muhyiddin’s days at the helm are numbered, Mahathir’s reinvention shows political memories are short. Can the current PM do the same?
In Malaysia, the state of emergency is poised to end, as announced last week during a special session of parliament. In Tunisia, the turmoil may be just beginning.
Not only have people underestimated the prime minister, but he has used this to his advantage to deceive his adversaries and exploit the weaknesses of a disorderly opposition.
While Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah’s unprecedented statements and actions are seen by some as contradictory to the king’s constitutional role, it can be argued he is portraying himself as a guarantor of stability.
The French president’s statement that ‘Islam is in crisis’ reflects the country’s failure to address the challenges of immigration and colonial memory.
As the Malaysian democracy icon prepares to meet the country’s king on Tuesday, there is growing anticipation that he might finally get a shot at becoming prime minister.