100 days under Pakatan: Mahathir, the strongman reformist?

Malaysia's ruling alliance Pakatan Harapan yesterday marked its 100th day in office after the May polls. In the second of a two-part series, The Straits Times looks at the mix of issues and parties as the new political reality sinks in.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad flanked by fellow Pakatan Harapan leaders (from left) Mohamad Sabu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Mr Lim Kit Siang on May 10. The indications are that while Dr Mahathir has largely retained his standing as a strongman leader, h
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad flanked by fellow Pakatan Harapan leaders (from left) Mohamad Sabu, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Mr Lim Kit Siang on May 10. The indications are that while Dr Mahathir has largely retained his standing as a strongman leader, his reformist stripes might win the day. ST FILE PHOTO
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Twenty years ago the strong-arm tactics of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad against his deputy, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, sparked the reformist movement.

The "Reformasi" protests against Datuk Seri Anwar's imprisonment and calls for transparency and accountability in the country's institutions led to the closest that Dr Mahathir has come to losing government, at the 1999 polls.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on August 18, 2018, with the headline 100 days under Pakatan: Mahathir, the strongman reformist?. Subscribe