KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Malaysia’s former authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad, who in a stunning political comeback led opposition parties to their first election victory in six decades, was sworn in as prime minister on Thursday, cementing a historic change of government. The ceremony before Malaysia’s king at the official state palace in Kuala Lumpur ended a day of uncertainty during which rumours swirled that the National Front, Malaysia’s perennial ruling party, would try to stay in power. Amnesty International said Malaysia’s first-ever change in government is an opportunity to “eradicate repressive policies” and put human rights first. Anwar, a former deputy prime minister in the ruling party, was also imprisoned under Mahathir following a power struggle. Mahathir is being investigated under that law for claiming a plane he was to travel on was sabotaged during the campaign.

Source: National Post May 10, 2018 03:15 UTC