DOC BACK IN POWER
MALAYSIA’S Mahathir Mohamad will be sworn in as the world’s oldest elected leader after his opposition alliance pulled off a stunning election win, ending six decades of rule by a coalition he once led.
Malaysians celebrated the 92-year-old’s unexpected victory over Prime Minister Najib Razak, whose popularity had plunged over rising living costs and in the wake of a multibillion-dollar graft scandal at 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Dr Mahathir led the SouthEast Asian nation for 22 years and his unexpected return to the prime ministership ends the previously unbroken rule of Barisan Nasional, the coalition that had governed since independence from Britain in 1957.
“We are not seeking revenge ... what we want is to restore the rule of law,” he said of Mr Najib’s scandal-plagued rule.
Dr Mahathir appeared jubi- lant and sprightly at a news conference claiming victory overnight, even joking with h reporters, and was to have an n audience with Malaysia’s king g last night.
The king will sign his letter r of appointment as prime minister of Malaysia’s constitutional monarchy during a ceremony at the royal palace in the capital, Kuala Lumpur.
In his concession speech, Mr Najib, 64, said he accepted the “verdict of the people”.
The National Front “will honour the principle of democracy in the parliament”, he said.
The stunning election outcome was expected to ruffle financial markets that were expecting a comfortable win for Mr Najib and the BN.
Official results showed that Dr Mahathir’s Pakatan Harapan won 113 of parliament’s 222 seats, clinching the simple majority required to rule. Mr Najib’s BN coalition only managed 79 seats.
REUTERS