Mahathir sworn in as Malaysia prime minister

[grantcart]

Source: Washington Post

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The Latest on Malaysia’s election (all times local):

10 p.m.

Mahathir Mohamad has been sworn in as Malaysia’s 7th prime minister in a ceremony before the Southeast Asian country’s king after leading opposition parties to a historic election victory.

The ceremony at the official state palace in Kuala Lumpur ended a day of uncertainty during which rumors swirled that the National Front, Malaysia’s ruling party for 60 years, would try to stay in power.

People outside the palace cheered and waved opposition flags.

Mahathir was Malaysia’s prime minister for 22 years until 2003. He returned to politics to oust his former protege Najib Razak, who was tarnished by allegations of massive theft from a state investment fund.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/the-latest-najib-razak-concedes-defeat-in-malaysia-election/2018/05/09/6c53097c-5404-11e8-a6d4-ca1d035642ce_story.html?utm_term=.d1b4643812c4

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In US terms this would be like Dick Cheney coming back and forming an alliance with Al Gore's wife (because Gore is in jail) to form a new party and defeat both the Republicans and Democrats and then granting a pardon to Gore so he could come in a run the government.

Its that weird.

Background found here:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/12505221

[Igel]

1. No thinks me that Mahathir is good.

Yes, that's an old-fashioned dative subject, before something based on their lack of knowledge thinks I'm mocking how some ethnic group never actually spoke. Watch it or I'll figure out how to use thorns.

He has a long history of using ethno-religious divides to make life worse for anybody who isn't on his side of the ethno-religious divide. Sort of like xenophobia, but against local populations--some indigenous, but later converts (instead of earlier converts) or immigrants.

Their system of oppression and othering, not mine, though.

[grantcart]

2. Britain left Malaysia the ethnic Malays were only 50% of the population and

owned only 20% of the country's wealth.

Obviously some readjustment was needed. They kicked Singapore out of the Malaysian Federation so that the ethnic Malays would be 51% of the population.

Mahathir wrote "The Malay Dilemma" which stereotyped the good and bad in each ethnic group, including his. It was banned which meant that Malays had to go to Singapore for lunch if they wanted to buy it.

He is a strange guy. He has a history of falsely accusing Anwar of sodomy and sending him to prison. Now he has put together a coalition to run against UNMO and Anwar's wife is his deputy. Apparently Anwar is going to be released from prison and will join the government.

Astonishing.