Atlantic Council: Win for Democracy in Malaysia

Opposition leader Tun Mahathir Mohamad, 92, is Malaysia’s new prime minister after defeating the incumbent’s Barisan Nasional coalition. “This is the first time since Malaysia’s independence in 1957 that an election has brought about a transfer of power and an end to BN rule in the Muslim-majority nation,” notes Huihui Ooi of the Atlantic Council, adding that the surprise outcome defies an authoritarian trend that has emerged elsewhere in the region. Mahathir once led BN, served as prime minister and mentored his opponent – but he supported public concerns over corruption, a decline in press freedom, democratic governance, accountability with Chinese investments and the government-owned development company 1Malaysia Development Berhad. With adept policy moves, the article concludes, Mahathir has the opportunity to lead a “Muslim-majority country that is moderate, multiracial, democratic, and open.” – YaleGlobal