Anwar was Mahathir's designated successor, but he would likely have been pushed out and blocked from becoming leader if the weekend bid had succeeded. They reconciled ahead of the 2018 polls to oust a corruption-plagued coalition led by Najib Razak, but many were sceptical Mahathir - at 94, the world's oldest leader - would stick to a vow to hand power to Anwar. But backing fell away early Wednesday and rumours swirled Anwar had garnered enough support from MPs for the top job, fuelling expectations that Mahathir might finally cede power. Reports say that Mahathir had already proposed a unity government to leaders across the political spectrum Tuesday, but they rejected the idea. James Chin, a Malaysia expert from the University of Tasmania, said he believed Mahathir, who had a first stint as premier from 1981 to 2003, would likely prevail in the power struggle.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 26, 2020 16:07 UTC