KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad, 92, scored a huge political upset, with his opposition alliance ending the hold on power of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which has governed Malaysia uninterrupted since its birth as an independent country in 1957. In a volte-face, Mahathir had thrown in his lot with an alliance of opposition parties he crushed while in power, which included jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim – his former nemesis. Concerns mounted about the transfer of power Thursday morning after Mahathir was not inaugurated by the king, as had been widely expected. The opposition alliance, Pact of Hope, along with a small ally on Borneo island, won 121. Mahathir was also accused of being an authoritarian leader, and political opponents were thrown in jail during his time in office.

Source: Manila Times May 10, 2018 16:14 UTC